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GILLFIELD  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 
PERRY  STREET. 


) 


REV.  G.  B.  HOWARD,  D.  D. 
Pastor  Gillfield  Baptist  Church. 


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 OF  THE  

OILFIELD  BAPTIST  CHURCH 


PETERSBURG,  VIRGINIA, 


Richard  Kenxard,  Church  Clerk, 

 WITH  

6ERnON  BY  HER  PASTOR,  DR.  G,  B.  HOWARD, 


Read  by  dijferent  members  of  said  church  during  her 

CENTENNIAL  EXERCISES 

October  Mh-llth  inclusive, 
1303- 


COMPILED  BY  WM.  H.  JOHNSON. 


PETERSBURG,  VA.: 
Presses  of  Frank  A.  Owen,  122  Sycamore  St, 
1903. 


c 


THE  INTRODUCTION. 


These  lines  are  not  intended  as  a  general  preface  to  this 
book;  for  another,  whose  head  and  heart  are  eminently 
fitted  for  that  mission,  has  already  prepared  such  a  preface. 
But  the  aim  of  these  lines  is  to  hereby  set  before  the  read- 
ers of  this  book,  and  the  friends  of  the  Gilfield  Baptist 
Church,  the  Dear  Brother  who,  for  about  forty  long  years, 
has  served  the  Gilfield  Baptist  Church  as  Clerk.  For 
long-,  faithful  and  honest  service  rendered  to  this  Church 
by  our  Brother,  Richard  Kennard,  he  has  placed  us  all 
under  a  lasting  debt  of  gratitude  to  himself,  and  of  thank- 
fulness to  God.  Nothing  at  this  time  can  give  me  more 
substantial  pleasure  than  to  put  in  permanent  form  the 
high  esteem  held  by  us  all  for  the  long,  conscientious, 
Christian  service  of  our  Brother.  Having  acted  as  Clerk 
of  this  Church  for  about  forty  years,  and  being  a  member 
of  it  for  fifty-four  years,  enjoyiog  full  acquaintance  with 
the  records  of  the  Church,  and  personal  acquaintance 
with  the  old  members  of  sixty,  seventy  and  eighty  years 
ago,  he  is  prepared  as  no  one  else  is,  to  set  forth  the  facts 
relating  to  the  career  of  our  Church,  Brother  Kennard 
has  been  at  great  pains  aad  labor  to  gather  the  historic 
facts  contained  in  this  volume,  and  we  count  it  a  blessing 
to  have  him  perform  this  service  for  the  Church  and  the 
denomination  before  he  is  called  from  labor  to  reward. 
Major  W,  H.  Johnson,  who  acts  with  him  in  preparing 
this  matter  and  carrying  it  through  the  press,  has  already, 
though  comparatively  a  young  man,  rendered  his  church, 
the  denomination  and  country,  rare  and  valuable  services. 
May  God's  blessing  continue  to  rest  upon  these  useful 
men.  G,  B,  HOWARD, 


THE  OILFIELD  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 


Of  Petersbukg  Virginia, 

Celebrated  her  one  hundred  years  of  life  October  4-11,  in- 
clusive, 1903.  A  short  history  was  prepared,  and  on  the 
morning  of  October  4th,  1903,  the  exercises  began.  The 
Pastor,  Dr.  G.  B.  Howard,  on  the  4th,  at  11  o'clock  A.  M., 
preached  the  Centennial  Sermon,  than  which  no  better 
could  have  been  delivered.  The  sermon  was  replete  with 
doctrine  which  is  able  to  make  us  stable  in  the  principles 
of  our  faith;  it  abounded  in  thought  which  is  well  calcu- 
lated to  fill,  and  did  fill  our  hearts  with  praise  and  thanks 
to  God  for  his  guidance  and  blessings  which  have  led 
and  prospered  us  for  the  past  century;  it  was  rich  in  ex- 
pressions which  inspired  us  to  a  large  hope  of  great  and 
glorious  results  in  the  future.  It  was  logical,  convincing 
powerful — the  sermon  suited  to  the  occasion. 

At  3  P.  M.,  Dr.  Graham  of  Richmond,  preached  a  soul- 
stirring  sermon,  from  Matt.  28th,  and  20th  verse  :  "Lo  I 
am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  At 
7:30  P.  M.  Dr.  Henry  Madison  of  San  Marino,  Ya.,  as- 
cended the  rostrum  and  electrified  the  audience  with  an 
eloquent  effort  from  1st  John,  5th  Chapter  and  4th  verse. 

On  Monday  evening  at  7:30  P.  M.  Elder  Greenville  Hunt 
of  Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  gave  the  Church  a  very,  very 
practical,  interesting,  and  instructive  discourse  from  1st 
Samuel,  8th  Chapter  and  5th  verse:  "A  King  like  other 
nations." 

The  pulpit  on  Tuesday  evening  at  7:30  was  occupied  by 
Elder  D.  W.  Davis  of  Manchester,  Ya.,  who  held  the  au- 
dience spell  bound  while  he  delivered  a  message  from 
John  15:5:  "Fruit  bearing." 

Wednesday  and  Thursday  evenings  will  be  remembered 
as  fraught  with  good  things.  Dr.  C.  T.  Walker  of  New 
York,  N.  Y.,  not  only  filled  the  pulpit,  but  filled  the  hearts 


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of  his  hearers  with  joy,  and  the  minds  of  his  audience 
with  food  for  many  months  of  thought.  His  effort  was 
masterly.  His  text  was,  on  Wednesday  evening.  Psalm 
126;3:  "Great  things  hath  God  done  for  his:  people."  On 
Thursday  evening,  Heb  6:11:  The  promises. 

On  Sabbath  morning,  11th,  at  11  o'clock,  the  Church 
was  the  recipient  of  a  rare  treat  in  the  form  of  a  message 
profound  in  its  scope  delivered  by  Dr.  R,  H.  Bowling  of 
Norfolk,  Ya.,  Text,  1st  Chronicles,  29th  Chapter,  12-13. 

The  exercises  of  Sabbath  afternoon,  3  o'clock,  were  rich, 
in  effect,  sublime  in  character.  The  Church  held  her 
Centennial  Communion  Services.  Joy,  peace,  and  love 
prevailed  and  a  love  feast  was  partaken  of. 

The  closing  exercises  of  the  week  took  place  at  7:30  P. 
M.,  when  Elder  W.  M.  Moss  of  Norfolk,  Ya.,  preached  an 
able  sermon  from  Matt.  16th,  and  19th  verse.  The  keys 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  given  to  the  Church.  After  a 
full  week  of  good  things,  the  grand  old  Oilfield  Church 
ended  her  one  hundredth  year  of  solid  labor  and  pros- 
perity and  began  her  second  century  auspiciously  in  the 
fear  of  God. 

During  the  exercises,  the  choir,  under  the  organists  Mrs. 
Nannie  B.  Johnson,  Miss  Mable  A.  Harris,  and  U.  S. 
Grant  Jones  rendered  superb  music. 

There  was  rendered  also  a  solo,  "Guide  Thou  My  Bark," 
by  Clarence  B.  Peters;  a  solo,  "Rock  of  Ages,"  by  Mrs. 
Margaret  Boiling;  a  bass  solo,  "The  Lord  is  My  Helper," 
by  Wm.  H.  Johnson;  a  solo  and  chorus,  "Steady,  Brothers, 
Steady,"  by  Robert  eT.  Jones,  soloist,  James  T.  Mason, 
Moses  Thompson  and  Wm.  H.  Johnson. 


CENTENNIAL  SERMON, 

BY  THE  PASTOR,  DR.  GEORGE  B.  HOWARD. 
October  4,  1903, 

THE  IDEAL  CHURCH, 

And  Oyie  Hundred  Years''  Groicth  Toivards  that  Ideal. 

"Upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my  church;  and  the  gates  of 
hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it.  That  he  might  sanctify 
and  cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  Word. 
That  he  might  present  it  to  himself  a  glorious  church,  not 
having  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing;  but  that  it  should 
be  holy  and  without  blemish."    Matt.  16:18;  Eph,  5:26-27. 

The  services  in  this  present  place  at  this  hour,  and  upon 
this  day,  are,  and  must  forever  remain,  unique.  It  is  the 
privilege  of  a  lifetime,  enjoyed  by  but  comparatively  few, 
to  take  part  in  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
church  of  his  or  her  choice.  We  all  should  feel  the  solem- 
nity and  grandeur  of  this  hour  as  we  sit  with  uncovered 
heads  and  upturned  faces  in  the  presence  of  Almighty 
God.  Personally,  I  very  much  prefer  that  the  task  of 
preaching  this  centennial  sermon  might  have  rested  upon 
broader  and  more  competent  shoulders  than  my  own  But 
I  have  yielded  to  the  wishes  of  my  brethren  in  this  matter. 
I  ask  for  both  your  patience  and  prayers  while  we  attempt 
to  perform  this  great  duty.  But  few  of  us  have  ever  been 
in  a  church's  centennial  before;  scarcely  any  of  us  will 
ever  be  in  another  on  earth.  Most  heartily  do  I  congratu- 
late the  Gilfield  Baptist  Church  upon  its  first  hundredth 
anniversary,  and  upon  its  splendid  and  untarnished  record; 
a  record  that  but  few,  if  any,  can  boast  of;  a  hundred  years 
aggressive  career  without  a  division  in  ranks. 

Nearly  twenty  hundred  years  ago  our  Lord  Jesus  let 
fall  from  his  golden  lips  these  fundamental  ideas  we  find 


here  in  Matt  16:18:  i.  e.  "Upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my 
church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it." 
Now,  a  thought  or  two  here  before  we  pass  on,  i,  e. 
notice  some  sublime  truths  herein  set  forth  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ : 

I^lrst,  The  ideal  formation;  rock,  "this  rock."  The  idea 
of  solidity  and  durabihty  comes  to  our  minds  here.  The 
object  of  Peter's  faith,  Christ  himself,  is  this  Eock  of  ages 
upon  which  this  church  is  founded.  And,  Second,  The 
ideal  builder;  I  build  my  church.  The  church  that  is 
built  on  anything  else,  or  by  anyone  else,  can  never  hope 
for  permanency,  &c.,  &c. 

One  hundred  years  ago,  when  Petersburg  was  a  small 
village,  and  not  one  of  us  was  born,  down  upon  the  sandy 
beach  on  the  Pocahontas  side,  there  was  enacted  a  scene 
destined  to  be  far  reaching  in  its  effects.  I  can  now  see 
that  handfuU  of  godly  men  and  consecrated  women  gathered 
there  for  prayer  to  Almighty  God.  There,  by  the  flowing 
Appomattox  and  under  the  blue  vault  of  the  sky,  under 
the  watchful  eye  of  God,  with  strong  faith  in  Jesus,  with  a 
noble  purpose  of  heart,  with  the  New  Testament  plan  and 
model,  but  with  an  unknown  future,  these  men  solidly  laid 
the  foundation  of  the  famous  Gilfield  Baptist  Church. 
Where  are  those  old  heroes  now  ?  Where  are  those  men 
and  women  to-day  ?  Gone  !  gone!  Some  of  their  bones 
lie  buried  here  on  this  lot,  others  have  their  bones  scattered 
around  town  in  unmarked  graves,  with  angels  watching 
over  their  sleeping  dust,  while  their  souls  from  up  yonder 
on  high,  are  looking  down  upon  us  here  to-day,  but  the 
spirit  and  faith  of  those  men  and  women  are  here  in  the 
Gilfield  Church  to-day,  marching  on  to  victory  to  the  tune 
of  a  hundred  years.  This  church  was  built  on  the  rock  of 
Matt.  16:18,  and  by  the  master  builder  of  Matt.  18:18.  And 
amidst  a  hundred  years  of  storms  and  trials,  fires  and 
triumphs,  the  gates  of  hell  have  not  as  yet  prevailed  against 
it,  &c.,  &c.  But,  you  will  observe  that  the  Church  of  Christ 
is  to  be  an  ideal  church,  as  set  forth  in  Eph.  6:26-27.  "That 
he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse  it."  "That  he  might  present 
it  to  himself  a  glorious  church,"  without  spot,  wrinkle  or 


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blemish.  Here  is  the  ideal.  Christ  will  eventually  bring" 
His  church  to  this  high  ideal  of  spiritual  and  moral  per- 
fection, No  one  would  say  that  this  or  any  other  earthly 
church  organization  has,  as  yet,  reached  that  sublime 
height.  But  this  is  Christ's  ideal,  and  this  must  be  our 
ideal,  and  we  should  never  be  satisfied  nor  rest  contentedly 
-  while  this  is  unattained.  Christ  will  bring  His  church  up 
to  that  sublime  standard  as  sure  as  you  are  born. 

For  one  hundred  years  this  church  has  had  its  face  to- 
ward the  rising  sun,  and  has  been  marching  toward  this 
New  Testament  ideal  in  Christ.  In  doctrine,  in  discipline, 
in  teaching,  in  practice,  in  missions,  in  the  maintenance 
of  the  sanctity  and  sacredness  of  God's  house  and  property, 
in  law  and  order,  and  decency;  through  all  these  years  this 
church  has  taken  high  ground;  and  its  influence  upon  the 
community  for  good  has  been  great.  Now  let  us  go  back 
a  little  and  deal  in  some  reminiscenses.    Then — 

First.  Beginning. 

What  was  it  that  brought  together  that  little  band  of 
worshippers  in  1803  ?  Those  were  certainly  dark  days  for 
the  Sons  of  Ham.  Those  people  found  in  the  gospel  the 
balm  for  their  sin-sick  souls,  their  broken  spirits  and  bleed- 
ing hearts.  Kindred  spirits  are  drawn  together  by  com- 
mon grief,  mutual  hopes,  and  congenial  fellowship.  These 
people  were  thus  drawn  together;  and  faith  and  love  united 
their  hearts  as  one  in  Christ.  And,  behold  !  what  do  we 
now  see  ?  As  Isaiah  puts  it,  "A  little  one  has  become  a 
thousand,  and  the  small  one  has  become  a  mighty  host." 
We  have  come  into  the  possession  of  the  spiritual  and  ec- 
clesiastical heritage  of  those  men  and  women.  So  we  have 
invited  you  here  from  far  and  near  to  join  us  in  this  great 
celebration  and  rejoicing. 

Secondly.  Her  Varying  Fortunes. 

The  history  of  this  church,  as  it  has  been  gotten  up  and 
presented  by  our  honored  and  faithful  brother,  Richard 
Kennard,  reads  like  a  romance.  While  the  career  of  this 
church  has  been  continuous,  united  and  successful,  yet  it 


9 


has  not  always  had  fair  winds  to  sail  in,  nor  flowery  roads 
to  travel  over,  Its  life  and  history  have  been  wrapped  up 
with  the  life  and  history  of  Petersburg",  and  the  State  of 
Virginia,  and  the  country.  It  began  its  career  in  the  dark 
days  of  slavery.  The  country  at  large,  our  institutions, 
and  the  general  public  sentiment  were  inoculated  with 
deadly  and  persistent  views  of  human  slavery.  Free  col- 
ored people  and  slave  colored  people  made  up  the  church's 
membership.  The  slave  people  could  join  only  with  the 
permission  of  their  owners.  The  free  people  only  could 
act  as  trustees  and  officials.  For  years  the  church  wor- 
shipped in  a  building  on  Sandy  Beach  and  in  rented  houses. 

In  1818  this  present  land  was  bought  from  a  Mr.  M,  B. 
Pillsborough,  and  was  deeded  to  this  church,  with  Joseph 
Shepherd,  Stirling  Mann,  Worrell  Sykes,  Henry  Boyd,  C. 
M.  Warring,  Eichard  Jarrett.  Jacob  Howell  and  Luke 
Taborne,  as  trustees.  The  last  dollar  was  paid  on  the 
ground  in  1822,  in  March,  and  the  deed  is  recorded  in  Deed 
Book  No.  7,  page  50,  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  Hustings 
Court  of  this  city.  Four  churches  have  been  built  on  this 
ground.  Politically  there  have  been  four  stages  in  the 
church's  career.  1st,  From  1803  to  1831,  during  which 
time  the  members  enjoyed  much  privileges  and  freedom. 
2nd,  1831  to  1851,  when  oppressive  laws  made  by  the  State 
after  Nat.  Turner's  insurrection,  greatly  hindered  the 
church.  Meetings  could  not  be  held  without  the  presence 
of  a  white  man  to  make  them  lawful.  3rd,  From  1851  to 
1865,  when  members  were  greatly  scattered  and  the  work 
hindered.  The  morning  Petersburg  fell.  Clerk  Eichard 
Kennard  had  his  book  under  his  arm  on  his  way  to  church, 
but  soon  had  to  seek  shelter  for  his  head.  Up  to  this  time 
all  pastors  had  been  white  men,  with  one  exception.  Eev. 
Sampson  White  pastored  in  1837-1838.  Eev.  Mr.  Creth, 
Eev.  Mr.  Crowder,  and  Eev,  Mr.  Eobinson,  pastored  pre- 
vious to  1865,  Eev.  Mr.  Pittman  being  the  first  regular 
pastor  mentioned.  4th.  1865-1903  brought  a  great  change. 
The  war  closed  and  emancipation  came.  In  November^ 
1865,  the  Eev.  Henry  Williams,  Jr„  of  Ohio,  was  called  to 
the  pastorate.    The  church  numbered  then  1,368  members. 


10 


Elder  Williams  took  hold  of  this  work  with  a  master's  grip, 
and  as  a  wise  master-builder,  and  for  34  years  heroically 
marshalled  this  host  of  Zion,  and  the  church  entered  upon 
a  career  of  power,influence  and  aggressiveness  unsurpassed 
by  any  church  in  the  land.  From  1868  the  membership 
rose  to  2,500  under  his  masterful  leadership,  besides  send- 
ing out  hundreds  upon  hundreds  to  build  up  other 
churches  all  the  way  from  Richmond  and  Washington 
to  Boston.  N'o  church  ever  sent  out  better  trained,  bettei^ 
disciplined  members  to  other  churches.  Elder  Williams 
organized  the  young  of  his  flock  in  a  magnificent  Sunday 
School,  and  superintended  it,  bringing  it  up  to  a  point  of 
order  and  efficiency  unsurpassed  in  the  land.  The  two  brick 
buildings  on  this  lot  went  up  under  his  administration.  The 
solidity  and  massiveness  of  this  building  is  but  an  index 
of  the  solidity  and  massiveness  of  his  character.  He  may 
appear  to  have  been  stern  and  queer  at  times,  but  the  times 
and  occasions  demanded  it.  And  while,  no  doubt,  he  did 
some  things  at  times  in  a  way  that  some  of  us  would  have 
done  differently,  nevertheless  his  aim  was  high,  his  ideas 
exalted,  his  work  firm.  And  when  on  the  18th  of  February, 
1900,  he  laid  down  his  commission  at  the  Saviour's  feet 
and  said  good-bye  to  his  flock,  and  mounted  the  chariot  of 
fire  like  Elijah  of  old  for  the  heavenly  home,  he  left  be- 
hind him  one  of  the  best  trained  churches,  and  the  most 
solid  work  I  have  ever  come  across  anywhere.  This  church 
is  his  monument;  that  granite  shaft  erected  by  this  church  in 
Blandford  Cemetery  helps  to  perpetuate  his  memory.  This 
tablet  here  in  the  wall  looking  silently  down  upon  you 
week  after  week,  will  be  a  constant  reminder  of  his  labors 
of  love,  &c.,  &c.    His  wife  rests  with  him. 

Third,         Great  Changes  in  This  Country 
Since  1805. 

John  Page  was  then  Governor  of  Virginia;  Thos.  Jef- 
ferson of  Virginia,  President  of  the  United  States.  The 
city  of  Washington  was  only  a  small  village.  More  than 
half  of  the  country  belonged  to  Spain.  The  Mississippi 
Biver  the  Western  bounds.    The  year  1803  will  ever  be 


11 


memorable  for  the  Louisiana  Purchase,  which  we  celebrate 
next  year.  Gold  was  not  found  in  California,  the  coal 
fields  of  Virginia  and  W.  Virginia  not  thought  of,  nor 
silver  or  oil.  No  railroads,  steamships;  no  telegraph,  no 
street  cars,  no  telephones;  no  public  schools  down  here. 
If  those  members  who  organized  the  church  in  1863  could 
come  back  here  now,  they  would  not  know  the  world, &c.,&c. 
They  would  be  more  inspired  than  Rip  Van  Winkle. 

Fourth.      Work  Outside  in  the  Denomination. 

This  church  belonged  to  the  Portsmouth  Association^ 
white,  prior  to  1865,  and  took  a  leading  part  in  organizing 
the  Shiloh  Association,  the  Hasadiah  Association,  the 
Bethany  Association,  the  Bethany  S,  S,  Convention,  the 
State  Sunday  School  Convention,  and  took  the  lead  in  or- 
ganizing the  old  State  Convention.  Her  pastor  wrote  its 
Constitution,  and  The  largest  amount  of  money  ever 
raised  by  this  body,  was  raised  here  in  May,  1902.  This 
church  has  prosecuted  the  foreign  mission  work  of  our  de- 
nomination, and  helped  to  lead  in  educational  work  in  this 
State  and  abroad.  So  you  will  see  that  her  work  has  been 
widespread  during  this  one  hundred  years. 

Fifth,      Relation  to  the  Heavenly  Country. 

Who  but  God  can  tell  the  real  number  that  have  gone 
from  this  church  militant  to  swell  the  number  in  the  church 
triumphant !  This  church  has  lost  by  death  on  an  average 
of  over  20  persons  a  year.  So  that  in  a  hundred  years  she 
has  sent  up  to  glory  over  two  thousand  members,  whom  I 
believe  to  be  robed  in  white,  looking  over  the  jasper  walls 
of  heaven  this  morning  down  upon  us  here.  As  our  songs 
float  heavenward,  they  hear  us  sing;  as  our  tears  fall,  they 
behold  our  moistened  eyes,  and  as  we  fight  in  the  conflict, 
they  watch  the  battle  with  keenest  interest,  knowing  that 
God  will  bring  us  out  victors.  Yes,  a  large  part  of  the 
Gilfield  Church  have  gone  home  to  their  reward. 
"Part  of  the  host  have  crossed  the  flood 
And  part  are  crossing  now." 

The  church  has  been  a  great  enlisting  station  for  souls 
or  the  heavenly  country,  &c.,  &c. 


12 


Sixth.  Facing  the  Future. 

We  have  been  looking  back  a  little,  upon  the  road  al- 
ready traveled,  now  let  us  look  forward,  for  before  us  lie 
our  duty  and  reward.  "On  this  rock  I  will  build  my  church, 
and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  it."  Christ 
is  the  great  ideal  builder;  but  remember  what  Paul  tells  us, 
that  we  are  workers  together  with  Him.  Our  work  is  not 
done.  A  hundred  years  are  required  to  bring  the  old  oak 
to  maturity.  This  church,  like  the  oak,  has  burst  forth 
from  the  acorn  of  truth,  and  like  the  oak,  for  a  hundred  years 
has  been  planting  her  roots  deeper  and  deeper  that  she 
might  defy  the  storms  of  winter  and  bask  in  the  sunshine 
of  summer,  bearing  precious  fruitage  of  redeemed  souls. 
The  God  who  has  lead  in  the  past  will  lead  in  the  future. 
He  has  laid  down  your  instructions  and  plans  here  upon 
this  "trestle  board,"  the  Holy  Bible.  By  this  shall  creeds 
and  conduct  be  tried.  Let  the  church  of  Jesus  Christ 
stand  by  her  colors,  and  keep  under  the  sheltering  arms 
of  faith  and  love.  Christ  is  preparing  to  bring  His  church, 
His  bride,  home  without  spot,  wrinkle  or  blemish.  The 
blood  of  the  Lamb  cleanseth  all  sins.  Let  us  take  up  our 
work  and  go  forward  till  the  Master  says,  "Enough,  come 
up  higher,"  Then  as  we  sweep  forward  through  the  sky 
toward  the  throne  of  God,  we  shall  catch  glimpses  of  dear 
ones  awaiting  us  on  the  other  shore  with  shouts  of  welcome. 
Among  these  shall  stand  the  old  heroes  of  1803,  Israel 
Decudra,  Jacob  Howell,  Jacob  Page,  Jarret  and  Boyd; 
Elders  Pitt,  Mann,  Creath,  Sampson,  Crowder,  Robinson 
and  Williams,  and  all  that  mighty  host  they  led  to  Christ. 
Then  will  the  Master  Himself,  amid  this  mighty  throng, 
welcome  the  rest  of  us  home;  for  Zion  shall  triumph,  and 
Christ  himself  shall  crown  her  victor.  God  help  us  all  to 
be  found  among  that  spotless  band  around  the  throne  at 
last. 


HISTORY    OF    THE  CHURCH. 


BY  RICHARD  KENNARD,   CHURCH  CLERK. 

1803.    1903. 

A  partial  history  of  the  Gilfield  Baptist  Church  of  the 
City  of  Peter shurg,  Virgiriia. 


There  is  no  written  record  of  this  Church's  organization 
in  her  possession,  or  at  what  time  it  took  place,  and  the 
first  sketch  of  her  written  history  we  have  dates  to  the  year 
1815.  In  said  history  we  find  mention  of  a  much  earlier 
history.  The  1815  history  is  styled  the  New  Book,  and  in 
it  is  recorded,  that  all  old  matter  of  interest  in  the  old  is 
to  be  transferred  to  the  New  Book,  but  we  find  no  such 
transfer  of  such  old  matter  in  the  New  Book.  We  have 
not  that  old  book,  but  we  find  many  references  in  the  New 
Book  of  Church  transactions.  One  is  of  the  rent  of  ground 
in  1809  and  1810  from  one  Mr.  Colwell,  the  ground  being 
on  Sandy  Beach,  Appomattox  River.  There,  a  meeting 
house  was  built,  but  we  see  in  the  New  Book  where  the 
Church  had  been  worshipping  long  before  1809  or  1810,  in 
rented  houses  in  Pocahontas.  The  writer  received  this  in- 
formation from  the  New  Book,  and  from  verbal  history, 
more  than  fifty  years  ago.  From  these  sources  the  history 
of  the  Church  is  traced  back  to  an  organization  in  1803. 
There  being  a  very  few  members  in  the  beginning,  not 
much  attention  was  given  to  written  matter,  but  it  seems 
that  the  leading  men  knew  all  the  Church's  business  trans- 
actions by  heart.  At  some  of  their  meetings,  the  refer- 
ences would  be  called  for  and  the  answer  would  be  that  the 
strips  of  last  meeting  were  lost. 

The  Church  at  its  origin  was  known  as  the  Christian 
Church  of  Christ,  of  the  town  of  Petersburg,  also  as  the 
Sandy  Beach  Baptist  Church,  The  first  pastor,  so  far  as 
its  history  shows,  was  Elder  Wm.  H.  Pittman,  who  was 


14 


elected  in  1815,  and  it  seems  by  their  limited  history,  that 
before  his  election  the  leading  members  of  the  Church 
conducted  the  worship. 

Vice  Jacob  Howell,  Israel  Decudra,  Jacob  Pag"e  and 
Worrell  Sykes  and  others,  the  leading  members  of  the 
Church  were  styled  the  Day's  men,  but  at  that  time  it  seem- 
ed that  nearly  all  the  male  members  were  preachers  or  ex- 
horters  who  had  gifts  to  be  exercised,  so  that  they  had 
very  little  need  of  any  regular  minister  or  pastor. 

The  history  gives  no  account  of  how  long  Elder  Pitt- 
man  served  the  Church,  but  the  next  regular  pastor  was 
Elder  Sampson,  White,  (colored),  who  was  called  in  1837 
and  who  served  till  1838. 

In  the  year  1818,  11th  of  February,  the  Church  as- 
sembled at  Brother  Mansfield  Jones'  house  in  Pocahontas, 
and  decided  to  purchase  land  on  which  to  build  a  meeting 
house.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  look  out  for  a  lot. 
At  a  meeting  held  February  15th,  the  committee  reported 
on  two  lots,  one  in  Pocahontas  and  one  in  Gill's  field. 
The  Church  voted  for  a  choice.  Gill's  field  received  37 
votes  and  Pocahontas  7  votes.  That  committee  was  made 
trustees,  and  was  instructed  to  purchase  of  gentleman 
Pillsborough  the  Gillfield  lot.  At  the  next  meeting  they 
reported  the  land  bought,  and  paid  on  it  $100  cash.  The 
deed  was  promised  in  the  next  week.  We  don't  see  re- 
corded what  the  land  cost,  but  verbal  history  says  $500. 

The  Church  ordered  a  meeting  house  to  be  built  thirty 
feet  square,  and  larger  if  timber  could  be  had.  The  house 
known  as  the  Red  House  was  built.  The  record  does  not 
show  how  long  Elder  Pittman  served  the  Church,  nor  does 
any  record  show  the  salary  they  gave  him,  but  we  see  on 
one  occasion  that  the  Church  decided  by  vote  to  buy  some 
shingles  for  Elder  Pittman  to  cover  his  house.  Elder 
Pittman's  leading  men  and  deacons  were  Brothers  Israel 
Decudra,  a  native  of  the  West  Indies,  Jacob  Howell, 
Peter  Valentine,  Steven  Eldridge,  James  Tazewell,  Wor- 
rell Sykes,  Charles  Warren,  and  Jacob  Page,  who  was 
clerk. 

The  Church  at  that  early  day  had  much  trouble  with  a 


15 


host  of  their  leading"  male  members,  for  it  seems  that  most 
of  them  were  all  the  time  asking-  leave  to  use  their  gifts  in 
exhortation  or  preaching,  as  they  felt  they  had  a  call  for 
such,  and  very  many  of  them  after  having  been  granted 
such  privilege,  for  reasons,  had  to  be  silenced  by  the 
Church  and  had  their  privileges  taken  away. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  Church,  slaves  were  received 
into  her  membership  by  no  other  title  than  Mr.  Aiken's 
Armistead,  or  Mrs.  Wathall's  Big  Joe,  Mrs.  Whitlock's 
Eobin,  and  could  only  be  received  and  baptised  on  a  writ- 
ten permit  from  their  owners,  and  their  owners  would 
often  notify  the  Church  of  some  of  the  wrong  doings  of 
their  people  and  of  their  disobedience.  Only  the  bad 
deeds  were  reported. 

At  that  time  or  age,  a  large  portion  of  the  Church's 
business  was  brought  up  by  queries:  "Is  it  right  for  Bap- 
tists to  commune  with  Pedo  Baptists?  "Answer,  "No." 
Is  it  right  for  a  member  to  carry  liquor  to  a  Church  feast 
and  sell  it:  A  committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  the 
answer  and  they  reported,  "It  is  better  to  let  that  matter 
alone." 

We  find  the  following  rules  of  decorum,  in  1815. 

1st,  Conference  shall  begin  and  end  with  prayer  to 
Almighty  God. 

2nd.  A  moderator  or  speaker  shall  be  chosen. 

3rd,  That  order  be  observed.  Let  one  speak  at  a  time, 
addressing  the  moderator,  and  none  depart  without  leave, 

4th.  All  queries  or  other  business  proposed  shall  have 
the  sense  of  the  conference  taken  before  being  entered 
upon. 

5th.  Any  member  may  speak  twice  to  the  same  proposi- 
tion. If  it  be  the  moderator,  he  shall  place  a  substitute 
in  his  place,  and  no  other  without  leave. 

6th.  No  member  shall  be  permitted  to  wander  from  the 
subject  under  consideration  nor  personally  reflect  upon 
any  member  that  has  spoken  before,  but  shall  deliver  his 
own  sentiment  upon  the  subject  in  debate. 

7th,  While  a  member  is  speaking,  none  shall  walk  out 
or  about  the  house,  neither  shall  there  be  any  whispering 


16 


and  private  discourse,  reading-  any  book  or  paper,  but 
every  one  shall  give  attention  to  the  member  speaking*. 

8th.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  from  his  seat  or 
leave  the  Conference  under  pain  of  sharp  reproof  and 
public  rebuke  at  the  next  Conference, 

The  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  was  received  into  the 
Portsmouth  Baptist  Association  in  the  year  1815.  Elder 
Pittman  and  Brother  Worrell  Sykes  were  the  delegates. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  cheapest  route 
by  land  or  by  water,  and  what  a  horse  and  gig  would  cost. 
After  this  meeting  and  before  1820,  the  Gillfield  Baptist 
Church  invited  the  Portsmouth  Association  to  hold  its  ses. 
sion  with  her,  which  invitation  was  accepted,  and  the 
Church  appointed  a  committee  to  rent  stables,  and  to  buy 
feed  for  the  delegates'  horses.  A  committee  was  also  ap- 
pointed to  furnish  blacking  and  brushes  with  which  to 
clean  the  delegates'  boots  and  shoes,  and  to  see  to  the 
general  comfort  and  convenience  of  the  delegates.  At  that 
age  there  did  not  seem  to  be  as  much  prejudice  among 
Christians  or  as  much  separation  as  since. 

The  Gillfield  Church;  in  all  of  her  history,  verbal  and 
written,  has  exercised  a  very  strict  discipline  over  her  mem- 
bers in  regard  to  their  moral  as  well  as  their  Christian  con- 
duct and  deportment.  Her  members  were  not  allowed  to 
marry  except  first  getting  the  consent  of  the  Church,  and 
that  consent  was  in  general  granted  by  witnesses  who  testi- 
fied there  was  no  encumbrance.  There  was  no  state  mar- 
riage law  for  them. 

Members  were  not  allowed  to  have  balls  or  dancing  par- 
ties in  their  houses  or  to  attend  them  elsewhere,  or  to  at- 
tend horse  racing.  The  Church  had  a  law  that  if  a  bro- 
ther or  sister  knew  of  another  brother  or  sister  who  was 
guilty  of  unchristian  conduct,  and  he  or  she  did  not  re- 
port the  case  to  the  Church,  they  themselves  would  be  dealt 
with  for  omission  of  duty,  and  outsiders  have  always 
charged  that  our  Church  was  too  strict,  so  much  so  that 
young  members  in  particular  have  no  chance  of  seeing  a 
good  time  in  worldly  amusements. 

Notwithstanding  these  strict  rules  that  do  not  allow  danc- 


17 


ing,  attending  balls,  horse  racing,  theater  going  and  the 
like,  in  seasons  of  revival  the  young  people  come  in  flocks 
to  the  Gillfield  instead  of  going  to  other  Churches  that 
take  no  notice  of  such  worldliness,  and  the  stricter  our 
rules  the  more  the  Church  has  prospered,  and  the  more 
reverence  appears  to  be  given  the  Church. 

At  this  time,  1820,  there  is  no  record  of  the  Church 
membership.  We  see,  at  the  purchase  of  the  ground,  that 
42  members  voted,  but  the  membership  must  have  been 
much  larger,  for  the  Church  had  many  members  in  Ches- 
terfield, Prince  George  and  in  Dinwiddie  county,  and  there 
were  many  in  town  that  could  not  be  present.  There  must 
have  been  at  the  least,  150  members  or  more. 

The  Church  at  that  period  did  many  acts  that  the  re- 
cord does  not  explain.  One  act  was  that  Brother  Peter 
Valentine,  one  of  the  trustees  in  the  purchase  of  the  land 
was  not  to  act  with  the  other  trustees,  and  no  reason  given 
why.  Another;  a  committee  was  appointed  to  go  to  Bro- 
ther Israel  Decudra  and  to  tell  him  to  send  back  that  let- 
ter of  dismission  by  the  committee  if  he  could  not  come 
himself,  and  there  is  no  record,  that  he  had  been  granted 
a  letter  and  why  it  was  recalled,  and  no  other  record  ap- 
pears about  the  matter,  yet  he  seems  to  be  acting  as  a 
member  of  the  Church  by  the  record,  and  a  deacon,  and 
Brother  Valentine  also  appears  to  hold  his  own  as  a  prom- 
inent member,  notwithstanding  he  was  not  allowed  to  act 
as  trustee  after  having  been  appointed,  but  all  this  seems 
to  be  understood,  but  nothing  is  explained,  and  the  whole 
history  of  the  Church  from  the  beginning  to  1845  is  like 
these  cases,  so  that  a  great  deal  cannot  be  understood. 

As  to  the  pastors  of  the  Church,  from  the  record  there 
were  only  two  from  the  beginning  to  the  year  1842,  viz: 
Elders  Pittman  and  White,  but  from  1821  to  '42  the  Church 
had  supply  ministers,  most  of  them  from  the  Market  Street 
Church,  white,  who  baptised  for  us,  viz:  Elders  Bell,  Snow, 
Tusker,  Gordon,  Mason,  Gwathney,  Southwood  and  many 
others. 

In  1842^the  Church  called  Elder  T.  B.  Creth,  who  served 
about  two  years,  and  the  Church  seemed,  from  the  building 


18 


of  the  Ked  House  in  1820  to  1831  to  have  enjoyed  peace 
and  prosperity  and  prog-ress,  but  the  year  1831,  she  was 
very  much  set  back  by  state  laws  that  hindered  or  pro- 
hibited her  meetings,  and  stopped  colored  men  from  preach 
ing".  Colored  Churches  could  have  no  meetings  unless  a 
white  person  was  present,  and  no  night  meetings.  This 
law  existed  until  after  the  Civil  War,  but  notwithstanding 
these  set  backs,  between  1831  and  1844  the  Church  seemed 
to  prosper  and  to  increase,  for  in  1842  Elder  Creth  baptized 
238,  and  in  1843  Elder  Gordon  baptised  200.  From  that 
time  to  1900  the  Church  has  had  an  unhindered  and  steady 
march  and  progress. 

In  the  year  1841  the  White  House  was  burnt  making  the 
third  house  of  worship.  That  house  would  seat  about 
250  or  300  persons  and  was  occupied  by  the  Church  until 
1858,  when  it  was  removed  to  give  place  for  the  fourth 
building  and  the  first  brick  house.  Elder  Hosea  Crowder 
succeeded  Elder  Creth  as  pastor,-  in  the  year  1845,  and 
served  as  such  until  July  1858.  Elder  Crowder's  adminis- 
tration seemed  to  have  been  very  successful.  He  baptized 
a  large  number  of  persons,  many  of  them  now  living,  the 
writer  being  one,  baptized  in  1849,  but  it  was  still  the  mis- 
fortune of  the  Church  not  to  keep  a  yearly  record  of  the 
additions  to  the  Church.  Elder  Wm.  M,  Robinson  suc- 
ceeded Elder  Crowder  as  pastor,  August  1858,  and  with 
his  advent  as  pastor  the  Church  began  the  building  of 
the  brick  house.  It  was  not  completed  until  two  years 
after  commencement.  Many  of  the  members  of  that  day 
did  not  thiuk  the  Church  could  ever  build  a  brick  house 
and  pay  for  it,  some  of  the  deacons  being  among  them. 
One  of  the  deacons,  whose  lot  it  was  to  give  notice  of  the 
removal  of  the  old  house,  stated  that  on  Wednesday  next 
the  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  would  be  sold  at  auction,  in- 
stead of  saying  the  old  house,  and  many  members  declared 
they  would  not  give  up  the  old  house  until  they  got  the  new 
brick  house,  notwithstanding  it  had  to  be  erected  on  the 
same  ground. 

Elder  Robinson's  pastorate  was  very  successful.  The 
brick  house  was  completed,  aud  during  its  construction  a 


19 


large  number  was  added  to  the  Church  by  baptism  dur- 
iug*  the  spring-  and  summer  months  of  each  year.  Hun- 
dreds were  baptized  in  the  Appomattox  River  and  all  was 
prosperity.  The  Church  had  one  trouble  to  contend 
against  in  building  the  brick  house.  It  was,  that  the  trus- 
tees who  believed  with  those  opposed  to  the  new  building 
would  not  give  their  consent  till  one  half  the  money  was 
raised,  but  those  who  were  for  building  showed  said  trustees 
that  the  Church  was  her  own  sovereign,  and  that  trouble 
ended  and  the  building  went  on  to  completion. 

Elder  Robinson  was  with  us  when  the  Civil  War  broke 
out,  and  continued  with  us  till  it  ended.  He  seemed  to  do 
all  that  was  in  his  power  for  us.  Our  flock  was  very  much 
scattered  as  partridges  in  the  mountains.  They  were 
wanted  to  work  on  breast^  works,  and  our  churches  were 
used  in  part  by  troops  to  catch  our  men  who  were  generally 
in  hiding,  and  the  members  would  scarcely  ever  be  at 
church.  As  far  as  going  to  church  was  concerned,  that 
was  all  ended  when  our  edifice  was  pressed  into  use  for 
the  army,  and  the  soldiers  took  possession,  leaving  the 
building  very  much  the  worse  for  its  rough  use.  Elder 
Robinson  held  on  as  best  he  could  until  all  was  over,  when 
he  told  us  he  knew  that  we  naturally  desired  to  have  one 
of  our  own  people  for  our  pastor  and  gave  us  God  speed. 

When  we  entered  on  new  life,  so  to  speak,  as  we  had  no 
prohibition  by  law  as  before,  we  had  worship  three  times 
a  day  on  Sunday,  and  at  night  during  the  week. 

On  the  20th  November,  1865,  we  elected  Elder  Henry 
Williams,  Jr.,  as  our  pastor.  He  was  young  then,  full  of 
the  gospel  ministry,  and  he  was  really  a  young  theological 
giant.  He  started  the  church  off  in  an  enthusiastic  pro- 
gress, and  hundreds  were  added  to  her  yearly.  He  took 
charge  of  the  young  Sunday  School  also  which  had  been 
started,  and  placed  it  on  its  present  high  standing.  He 
thoroughly  disciplined  that  large  number  of  members,  some 
1360,  with  additions.  His  discipline  was  correct,  and 
carried  to  such  success  that  the  young  people  who  were 
disposed  to  be  worldly  minded,  came  to  the  conclusion 
that  they  could  not  have  a  good  time  at  the  Gillfield 


20 


Church,  but  they  had  to  conduct  themselves  as  Christians; 
and  those  who  wanted  to  have  a  g-ood  time  must  go  else- 
where. His  system  of  church  discipline  was  of  such 
merit  that  it  had  a  good  effect  among  the  Baptists  through- 
out the  surrounding  communities.  It  was  well  said  by 
Dr.  Dickerson  at  the  Association  in  Brunswick  county, 
that  Dr.  Williams  was  a  father  in  Israel  and  a  great 
leader  among  the  Baptists  of  Virginia.  Elder  Williams' 
members  loved  him,  notwithstanding  his  so-called  iron 
rule  discipline,  and  reverenced  him  as  a  leader.  He 
countenanced  no  sin  or  worldliness  among  his  church 
members.  Elder  Williams  was  strictly  consistent,  and  re- 
quired every  officer  and  member  to  stand  in  his  own  order. 

The  deacons  are  all  appointed  to  have  control  of  the  dif- 
ferent financial  departments  of  the  church.  All  the  other 
departments  of  the  church  work  are  in  the  hands  of  com- 
mittees composed  of  members  other  than  deacons,  such 
as  Committees  on  Church  Worship  generally,  and  Com- 
munion, whose  duties  are  to  report  members  delinquent  in 
their  duties;  individual  committees  to  keep  order  in  the 
aisles,  at  the  doors,  in  the  galleries  and  in  the  yard.  In 
1873,  it  was  found  that  the  building  was  unsafe  and  really 
not  large  enough  for  the  membership,  and  the  church  de- 
cided to  have  a  larger  and  more  substantial  house.  It  was 
also  seen  that  our  lot  of  land  was  not  of  sufficient  area;  so 
we  had  to  purchase  a  strip  of  land  on  the  south  side,  at  a 
cost  of  11,205  because  the  church  needed  it,  else  it  would 
not  have  brought  more  than  $200. 

The  church  went  on,  we  rented  a  brick-yard  in  Chesterfield 
county,  and  manufactured  our  bricks,  with  the  labor  of 
our  church  members  and  others.  On  the  first  of  September, 
1847,  we  raised  the  body  of  the  old  house,  and  with  the 
material  built  the  chapel  in  one  mouth,  and  worshipped  in 
it  until  the  present  church  edifice  was  completed  in  1880, 
at  a  cost  with  the  ground  lot  of  $26,200,  which  was  paid 
for  in  less  than  one  year  after  its  completion. 

After  the  war  the  church  licensed  and  ordaiued  to  the 
gospel  ministry  of  our  members,  Brethren  Wesley  Hill, 
Ephraim  Royalls,  Robert  Griggsby,  George  Winfield,  Pom- 


^1 


pey  Penister,  and  licensed  John  Johnson,  Wm.  A.  Steward, 
Jr.,  and  Patrick  Brown,  to  preach. 

Our  church  also  set  apart  and  reorganized  branch 
churches  in  Prince  George  county;  the  Providence  Church 
in  Dinwiddle  county;  the  Sharon  Church  in  Chesterfield 
county;  the  Bethesda  Church  in  Greenesville  county;  the 
Shiloh  Church  and  the  Eoyall  Baptist  Church  of  Bulfield, 
Greenesville  county,  and  assisted  in  setting  apart  and  rec- 
ognizing many  others  throughout  the  State. 

Our  church  also  took  part  in  organizing  the  Shiloh  Bap- 
tist Association  of  Virginia,  by  sending  delegates  in  1865, 
and  after  that  the  Association  became  too  large  for  cenven- 
ience;  our  church  was  foremost  in  dividing  it  by  establish- 
ing the  Hasadiah  Association,  south  side  of  the  James, 
and  after  the  Hasadiah  became  unweildy,  it  was  divided 
by  the  head  of  our  church  and  pastor.  Dr.  Henry  Wil- 
liams, and  the  Bethany  Association  was  established  be- 
tween the  Hasadiah  and  the  Norfolk  Associations,  in  which 
our  church  is  still  holding  membership. 

The  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  has  never  had  any  division, 
eruption  or  split.  The  church  has  always  managed  any 
trouble  or  division  of  opinion  among  her  members  in  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  so  that  all  remain  in  union  and  unity. 

In  the  year  1842,  about  the  time  the  Third  Baptist 
Church  was  established,  some  6  or  8  of  our  members,  among 
them  Brethren  Thos.  Scott,  James  Ford,  Henry  Elebeck, 
and  others,  drew  their  letters  from  us  and  joined  the  Third 
Church,  but  they  did  not  stay  long  before  they  returned  to 
the  old  mother  church. 

Our  church  took  the  foremost  part,  through  onr  pastor. 
Elder  Henry  Williams,  in  organizing  the  Virginia  Baptist 
State  Convention  in  the  year  1867,  and  has  been  one  of  its 
principal  stays  ever  since  in  fostering,  leading  and  pushing 
forward  said  Convention  in  its  Home,  Foreign  Mission  and 
Educational  work,  by  contributions  of  money  and  counsel. 
More  money  was  raised  at  this  church  at  the  session  of  said 
Convention  in  1902,  than  at  any  other  session  during  its 
existence.    Indeed,  our  church  has  always  taken  a  leading 


22 


part  in  fostering  and  extending  the  work  of  Christ,  our 
Lord.  Before  the  war,  when  there  was  no  State  Missions, 
our  church  had  a  Missionary  Society  for  Foreign  Missions, 
and  had  to  send  money  to  the  fields  through  the  white 
society,  of  which  we  received  no  credit,  but  of  a  good  con- 
science of  having  done  our  duty.  During  Elder  Williams' 
pastorate,  he  established  a  system  of  worship  and  a  code  of 
rules  that  contioue  to  this  writing:  Sabbath  service  11 
A.  M.  aud  7:30  P.  M.  Tuesday  nights,, prayer  meeting.  The 
2nd  Sabbath  of  each  month.  Communion  or  Lord's  Supper. 
The  first  and  third  Monday  nights  in  each  month.  Busi- 
ness Meetings  of  the  church.  Preaching  each  Thursday 
night,  saving  the  Thursday  preceding  2nd  Sabbath,  which 
is  devoted  to  Covenant  Meeting. 

All  members  are  required  to  attend  all  the  services  of 
the  church.  If  a  member  neglects  two  services  of  the 
church  at  regular  times  of  worship  without  good  cause,  he 
is  liable  to  censure. 

A  system  of  finance  was  established,  as  the  financial 
operations  of  a  church  is  one  of  the  most  troublesome  of  all 
rules.  Our  rule  is  that  each  and  every  able-bodied  mem- 
ber is  required  to  contribute  not  less  than  ten  cents  at  each 
collection,  and  that  rule  is  carried  out  by  a  tickets  system. 
Each  member  pays  ten  cents  and  receives  a  ticket  from  the 
deacons,  and  in  every  three  months,  or  each  quarter,  he  is 
required  to  return  said  tickets  and  receive  a  receipt  from 
the  deacons  for  his  or  her  quarterly  dues  to  the  church. 

Before  this  system  was  put  into  practice,  the  church  had 
to  resort  to  church  fairs,  festivals,  excursions,  and  to  the 
public  generally,  for  her  finance.  Many  of  those  practices, 
in  a  measure,  are  questionable  for  a  church. 

Our  finance  system  is  as  follows: 

First  Sabbath  in  each  month,  Pastor's  Salary. 

Second  Sabbath,  A.M.,  in  each  month.  Current  Expenses. 

Second  Sabbath,  afternoon,  in  each  month,  Poor  Saints. 

Third  Sabbath,  night,  in  each  month,  Grospel  Purposes. 

Third  Sabbath,  morning,  in  each  month ,  Current  Ex- 
penses. 


23 


Fourth  Sabbath  in  each  mouth,  Insurauce  Purposes. 
Fifth  Sabbath,  Missionary  Day. 

At  these  collections  a  deacon  is  chosen  for  a  specific  fund, 
and  is  required  to  report  to  the  church  semi-annually  the 
amount  raised  in  his  department. 

One  of  the  saddest  events  that  has  ever  happened  to  our 
church  was  the  death  of  our  devoted  pastor,  Rev.  Henry 
Williams,  D.  D.,  February  18th,  1900.  He  had  led  us  in 
ways  that  lead  to  Christ  and  heaven  for  nearly  35  years. 
We  then  found  ourselves  as  Israel  of  old,  without  a  shepard 
or  a  Moses.  Our  only  comfort  then  was  in  our  Shepherd  and 
leader,  Jesus  our  Lord  and  Saviour  to  whom  we  looked,  and 
in  Him  we  took  courage.  Our  church  buried  her  pastor 
with  all  respect  and  Christian  love,  and  raised  a  monument 
of  granite  over  him  to  show  to  generations  to  come  of  his 
character,  his  Christian  works  and  our  love  and  highest 
esteem  for  him,  at  a  cost  of  $1,800.  Our  church  mourned 
his  death  and  counted  his  examples,  his  way  of  leading, 
and  resolved  from  them  never  to  depart,  and  with  Christ 
for  our  guide  and  knowing  that  the  Lord  always  has  a 
Joshua  for  a  departed  Moses,  we  kept  house  for  Christ  as 
best  we  could  till  the  fall  of  1900.  At  this  time  we  began 
to  look  out  for  a  leader,  with  an  unwavering  faith  in  Christ 
to  lead,  and  we  believe  that  he  did  lead  us,  and  our  choice 
fell  on  our  new  pastor,  Rev.  G.  B.  Howard,  whom  we  called, 
and  who  accepted  the  call.  He  took  charge  the  last  of  the 
year  1900,  since  which  time  the  church  has  moved  forward 
with  success.  In  the  past  two  years  and  nine  months  of 
Elder  Howard's  pastorate,  there  have  been  added  to  the 
church  293  persons  by  baptism,  by  letter,  and  by  restora- 
tion; and  the  church  seems  to  be  satisfied  that  she  has  a 
good  successor  to  our  former  pastor,  notwithstanding  at  Ms 
death  many  believed  we  would  never  get  a  satisfactory 
successor  to  him. 

The  Church  since  his  leadership  has  kept  up  her  wor- 
ship and  discipline,  many  improvements  have  been  made 
to  the  building  and  all  paid  for.  In  fact  the; Church  has, 
under  Elder  Howard's  lead  kept  up  with  all  her  former 


24 

travels  and  is  at  this  time  entirely  free  from  debt.  Every- 
thing so  far  has  been  peaceful  and  pleasant  and  we  are  on 
the  forward  march,  with  him  to  begin  our  second  century. 
It  may  be  of  interest  to  tell  what  the  Church  had  to  con- 
tend against  in  early  years.  V^erbal  history  says  that  the 
Church,  at  one  time  had  a  pastor  whom  they  ascertained 
had  been  trading  in  slaves.  He  was  summarily  dropped. 
At  another  time  she  had  an  unpleasant  matter  on  hand. 
One  of  her  members  was  complained  of  by  her  mistress  to 
the  Church,  for  fighting,  to  be  dealt  with.  The  Church 
upon  inquiry  found  out  that  her  memberjand  the  member's 
mistress  had  been  fighting,  and  they  both  members  of  Bap- 
tist Churches.  Our  Church  decided  that  both  of  them 
were  guilty  according  to  scripture,  and  if  one  was  to  be 
dealt  with  the  other  must  be,  and  there  the  matter  ended. 

Houses  of  Worship  in  their  Order. 

First  church  building,  ''Sandy  Beach"  on  Appomattox 
Eiver,  built  between  1803  and  1809. 

2nd.  The  "Bed  House,"  built  between  1818  and  1819on 
Perry  street. 

3rd.  The  "White  House,"  built  between  1840  and  1842, 
on  Perry  street. 

4th.  The  first  brick  house  built  between  1858  and  1860, 
on  Perry  street. 

5th.  The  present  edifice,  built  between  1874  and  1879, 
on  Perry  street. 

The  Pastors  of  the  Church  in  Their  Order. 

Elder  Wm,  H.  Pittman,  (white)  1815.  No  date  for 
length  of  service. 

Elder  Sampson  White,  (colored),  served  1837. 

Elder  Thos.  B.  Creth,  (white)  elected  1842;  served  2 
years. 

Elder  Hosea  Crowder,  (white)  elected  1845,  served  till 
1858. 

Elder  Wm.  Eobinson,  (white)  elected  August,  1857, 
served  till  1865. 


25 


Elder  Henry  Williams  (colored)  elected  Kovember  20th, 
1865,  served  till  death,  February  18th,  1900. 

Elder  Geo.  B.  Howard,  (colored),  elected  1900,  present 
pastor. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  Deacons  who  have  served  and  are 
now  serving  during  the  one  hundred  years  of  the  Church's 
existence  1,  Joseph  Shepherd;  2,  Peter  Valentine;  3,  Jacob 
Brander,  4,  Eichard  Jarratt,  5,  Worrell  Sykes,  6,  Israel 
Decudra,  7,  Charles  Evans,  8,  Jacob  Howell,  9,  Sterling 
Mann,  10,  Eobert  Tucker,  11,  Charles  Warren,  12,  Charles 
McKenzie,  13,  Charles  Lewis,  14,  Robin  Wilcox,  15,  Wm. 
Walker,  16,  Coy  Quivas,  17,  Robert  Holloway,  18,  Abram 
Robertson,  19,  Wm.  Jackson,  20,  Thomas  McKenzie,  21, 
Stepney  Lawton,  22,  John  Brooks,  23,  David  Scott,  24, 
John  Wiggins,  25,  Peter  Archer,  26,  Richard  Clark,  27, 
Henry  Watkins,  28,  Ar misted  Jordan,  29,  Alexander  Forbes 
30,  Samuel  Swann,  31,  Collier  Tabb,  32,  Edward  Pryor, 
33,  Richard  M.  Hawks,  34,  Robert  Shaw,  35,  Richard 
Cosby,  36,  James  W.  Hargraves,  37,  Wm.  Dabney,  38, 
Robt.  J.  Jones,  39,  Frank  Wilkerson,  40,  Wm.  H.  Johnson. 

The  list  of  trustees  of  the  past  and  present:  1,  Joseph 
Shepherd,  2,  Peter  Valentine,  3,  Captain  John  Abdike,  4, 
Thomas  Jarratt,  5,  John  K.  Shore,  6,  David  Scott,  7, 
Wm.  Jackson,  8,  Wm.  Walker,  9,  Thomas  Scott,  10,  C. 
B.  Stevens,  11,  Thomas  McKenzie,  12,  George  Taylor,  13, 
Berry  Bonner,  14,  Thomas  Games,  15,  Henry  Johnson.  16, 
Albert  James,  17,  Isham  Hardy,  18,  Frank  McCray,  19, 
Douglass  Wilkerson,  20,  James  M.  Wilkerson,  21,  Wm  M. 
Spratley,  22,  Wm.  H.  Baugh. 

Clerks  of  the  Church  for  the  100  years:  1,  Jacob  Page, 
2,  James  Carter,  3,  Henry  H.  Elebeck,  4,  James  Forde, 
5,  Lewis  W.  Carter,  6,  James  Z.  Matthews,  7,  Richard 
Kennard,  now  serving. 

Treasurers  from  1848  till  now:  1,  Robert  Holloway,  2, 
2,  Wm.  Jackson,  3,  John  Brooks,  4,  Armistead  Jordan,  5, 
Richard  Hawks,  now  serving. 

Sextons:  John  Brooks,  Edward  Shields,  John  Nash,  Peter 
Smith,  Alexander  Forbes,  now  serving  his  28th  year. 


26 


The  following  are  the  names  of  the  supply  ministers  who 
preached  for  our  church  and  baptized  for  us  from  1829  to 
1845:  Elders  T.  Bell,  G.  Mason,  J.  P.  Tustin,  Wm. 
Southwood,  Wm.  Snow,  Gordon,  and  others.  Most  of  them 
were  pastors  of  the  then  Market  Street  Baptist  Church  of 
this  city. 


PAPER 


BY  MISS  ANNIE  WILLIAMS. 


Gillfield  Church  on  SaUbath  Schools. 


Though  the  Gilfield  Baptist  Church  has  stood  for  one 
hundred  years  as  a  great  Beacon  Light,  guiding  the  paths 
of  others,  and  though  she  has  always  manifested  such  an 
interest  in  her  own  church  work,  and  also  in  the  com- 
munity,let  us  not  once  think  that  she  has  been  at  all  thought- 
less or  neglectful  in  regard  to  Sabbath  School  work. 

She  has  always  shown  the  greatest  interest  in  this  de- 
partment of  church  work,  believing  it  to  be  one  of  the  grand 
est  and  noblest  for  the  training  of  boys  and  girls,  yea  men 
and  women,  both  morally  and  spiritually.  Some  have  said 
that  the  Sabbath  School  is  the  nursery  of  the  church,  but 
whether  this  be  true  or  not,  we  do  know  that  our  church 
has  ever  gone  hand  in  hand  with  our  school  work.  She 
has  always  been  our  guiding  power. 

Od  the  21st  of  April,  3865,  our  Sabbath  School  was  or- 
ganized, with  our  late  pastor.  Dr.  Henry  Williams,  as  its 
Superintendent.  From  then  until  now,  she  has  stood  as 
impregnable  as  a  mighty  Gibraltar,  and  under  such  an  able 
leader  as  we  still  have,  namely.  Major  W.  H.  Johnson,  our 
present  Superintendent,  and  Dr,  G.  B.  Howard,  we  look 
for  still  greater  things.  Yes,  I  say  under  such  leaders, 
for  men  must  have  leaders.  As  the  child  is  led  by  its 
teacher,  as  the  soldier  is  led  by  his  commanding  officer,  so 
are  men  led  by  their  leaders.  And  where  has  the  Sabbath 
School  always  secured  such  able  leaders?  From  the  church. 
Nothing  is  ever  done  in  this  Sabbath  School  independent 
of  the  church.  As  all  this  comes  to  be  more  comprehended 
we  see  that  the  great  motive  governing  our  church  and 
Sabbath  School  is  mutual  helpfulness.  No  church  appre- 
ciates more  the  value  of  the  Sabbath  School  than  does 


2g 

this,  the  Gilfield  Baptist  Church.  In  fact  she  has  always 
gone  hand  in  hand  with  this  work.  Her  influence  for  good 
has  been,  and  is  still  far  reaching".  I  am  wholly  unable 
to  give  this  grand  and  noble  church  the  honor  she  so  justly 
deserves  for  the  care  and  inspiration  she  has  always  im- 
parted to  our  Sabbath  School,  and  not  only  upon  ours, 
but  she  has  a  general  interest  in  all,  for  have  we  not  all 
the  same  object  in  view,  namely,  the  salvation  of  our  boys 
and  girls  ?  And  again,  no  school  has  ever  gone  to  her  for 
help,  spiritually  or  financially,  and  had  her  to  turn  a  deaf 
ear  to  its  call. 

Human  life  is  a  very  practical  thing,  and  the  great  need 
of  the  younger  portion  of  the  world  is  more  practical  ex- 
amples in  morality  and  religion.  Knowing  this  need  of 
our  young,  the  Gilfield  Baptist  Church  has  always  striven 
to  secure  such  teachers  for  her  Sabbath  School.  She 
doesn't  feel  that  much  good  can  be  accomplished  without 
this  kind.  It  has  been  said  by  one  author,  that  "He  who 
holds  the  control  over  his  mind,  who  rules  his  own  spirit, 
who  has  the  mastery  of  himself,  morality  and  religion 
come  almost  as  naturally  as  the  common  knowledge  of  men 
and  things.  But  to  him  who  is  easily  drawn  away;  who 
is  turned  about  by  every  wind  of  doctrine  or  breath  of  in- 
fluence; who  is  unstable  as  the  wind;  moral  and  religious 
purposes  and  principles  are  hard  of  attainment  and  sta- 
bility of  character,  a  thing  of  which  he  hardly  knows  any- 
thing." 

In  conclusion,  if  we  would  succeed,  if  we  would  be  the 
model  Sunday  School  our  church  would  have  us  be,  let  us 
always  strive  to  do  God's  own  will  in  God's  own  way. 


PAPER 


BY  ROBERT  J.  JONES. 


Position  of  Gillfield  Church  With  Regard  to  Education. 


When  we  speak  of  education,  the  general  opinion  is  that 
we  mean  such  as  we  get  in  the  school-room.  Generally, 
that  idea  is  correct,  but  there  are  many  kinds  of  education. 
A  government,  community  or  organization  can,  and  does 
educate,  either  for  good  or  for  evil.  The  means  of  edu- 
cation naturally  fall  under  two  heads,  discipline  or  moral 
training,  and  instruction  or  the  act  of  imparting  informa- 
tion. Under  the  head  of  discipline  come  the  forming  of 
habits,  of  self-control,  obedience,  civility,  love  of  truth,  and 
reverence  for  all  that  is  good  and  great. 

After  having  enumerated  a  limited  number  of  ways  by 
which  governments,  communities,  and  organizations  edu- 
cate, the  question  naturally  arises,  how  does  the  Gilfield 
Church  stand  related  to  the  different  phases  of  education  ? 

First,  In  respect  to  that  received  in  the  school-room  for 
the  enlightening  and  expansion  of  the  human  mind,  she 
has  always  favored,  fostered,  and  encouraged  it  in  a  very 
tangible  way,  and  that  with  its  financial  aid,  for  it  has 
contributed  thousands  of  dollars  for  the  furtherance  of 
education  in  this  State  and  country. 

Secondly,  Discipline  or  moral  training.  Under  this 
head  I  need  say  but  very  little,  for  according  to  the  old 
adage,  "actions  speak  louder  than  words."  The  actions  of 
this  church  along  this  line  have  been  so  pronounced  and 
uncompromising,  that  some  who  are  not  disposed  to  walk 
in  the  straight  and  narrow  path, or  to  enter  in  at  the  straight 
gate,  but  rather  climb  up  some  other  way,  (you  of  course 
know  what  the  Scriptures  say,  he  is  who  attempts  such), 
often  criticise  this  church  because  of  its  rigid  discipline 


30 


along  these  lines.  But  truth  is  mighty  and  will  prevail. 
As  an  evidence  of  this  fact,  those  critics  of  whom  I  have 
spoken,  may  criticise  the  Gillfield  Church,  but  they  all  re- 
verence and  respect  her.  And  many,  while  unwilling  to 
give  her  the  credit,  are  emulating  her  example.  Surely  no 
one  will  dispute  the  plain  proposition  that  education  is  a 
very,  very  great  power  for  good  or  for  evil. 

Then,  we  see  how  very  important  it  is  for  all  who  are 
educating  purely  from  mental  and  intellectual  standpoints, 
to  be  very  careful,  watchful  and  prayerful  over  those  en- 
trusted to  their  care,  knowing,  as  they  must,  that  the  fu- 
ture weal  or  woe,  success  or  failure  of  those  whom  they 
are  educating,  depends  largely  upon  the  kind  of  education 
they  impart.  Now,  if  that  be  true  of  those  who  are  fitting 
and  preparing  for  this  life  only,  how  much  more  important 
it  must  be  for  those  who  are  educating  not  only  for  this 
world,  but  also  for  the  one  to  come. 

It  is  known  far  and  wide  that  the  Gillfield  Church  has 
been  educating  the  people  of  this  and  other  communities 
for  one  century,  now  dawning  into  its  second,  to  form 
habits  of  order,  self-control,  obedience,  civility,  love  of 
truth  and  due  reverence  for  all  that  is  good  and  great. 

We  see  evidences  of  the  fruit  of  that  teaching  in  every 
direction,  the  seed  sown  have  germinated,  grown,  and 
ripened,  and,  like  bread  cast  upon  the  waters,  are  seen  and 
being  gathered. 

When  the  smoke  of  battle  had  scarcely  cleared  away; 
when  the  booming  of  cannon  and  the  fierce  rattling  of 
musketry  of  the  Civil  War  were  still  very  fresh  in  the 
minds  of  the  people,  this  church,  out  of  its  love  for  educa- 
tion, notwithstanding  its  known  and  well  established  posi- 
tion that,  when  an  edifice  has  been  once  dedicated  to  God 
as  a  house  of  worship,  should  be  used  only  for  that  pur- 
pose, threw  open  her  doors  to  the  people  of  this  city,  for 
the  purpose  of  disbursing  knowledge  to  those  who  felt  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity.  The  church  was  used 
for  that  purpose  until  other  provisions  were  made  to  teach 
the  people. 

And  now,  not  pply  in  tbig  city  md  State,  but  scattered 


31 


throughout  many  of  the  cities  and  States  of  this  eountry, 
are  those  that  had  the  foundation  for  an  education  laid 
within  the  walls  of  this  church.  Many  of  whom  upon  said 
foundations  have  built  noble  and  grand  structures,  that 
have  defied  the  storms  of  malice,  envy,  prejudice,  and  all 
kindred  vices,  and  from  that  lofty  eminence  are  sending 
out  their  beneficent  rays,  piercing  into  the  darkness  of 
ignorance  and  superstition,  forcing  the  same  to  retire. 

I  think  it  not  strange  that  this  church  favor,  aid  and  fos- 
ter education,  for,  as  darkness  begets  darkness,  so  light 
begets  light.  This  church  can  congratulate  herself  upon 
having  always  had  among  her  membership  a  very  large 
percentage  of  the  most  enlightened  people  of  this  com- 
munity. Therefore  the  ardent  desire  to  assist  those  striv- 
ing for  knowledge. 

The  earliest  education  was  domestic.  The  best  we  think 
was  that  of  the  ancient  Jews,  where  the  father  was  the 
teacher,  and  the  law  of  Moses  the  text.  Later  on  the 
church  succeeded  the  father,  and  for  many  centuries  the 
church  was  patron  of  the  school,  and  continues  to  be  in 
some  countries.  But  in  time  the  schools  became  secularized, 
and  matters  not  essentially  religious  were  relegated  to  the 
State,  so  the  State  in  nearly  all  countries  has  superceded 
the  church  as  the  patron  of  the  school.  The  noticeable 
exception  to  this  rule  is  in  France,  where  ecclesiastics  are 
excluded  from  teaching  by  law.  In  other  countries,  while 
the  State  is  the  patron  of  the  schools,  the  church  is  un- 
molested in  their  parochial  schools. 

This  church  is  constantly  contributing  to  the  support  of 
denominational  schools  in  both  this  and  foreign  countries. 

We  are  here  at  this  time  celebrating  the  one  hundredth 
anniversary  of  our  church,  and  when  one  hundred  years 
from  this  time,  if  our  posterity  shall  be  here  celebrating 
the  two  hundredeth  anniversary,  we  hope,  trust  and  pray, 
that  the  teachings  of  this  century,  with  such  other  good 
and  beneficent  spiritual  improvements  as  they  may  ac- 
quire, may  be  as  prorqinently  set  forth  as  they  are  at  this 
time. 


32 


While  none  of  us  claim  perfection  for  her,  yet  we  are  sure 
she  will  compare  favorably  with  the  best. 

We  hope  she  has  no  enemies.  But  if  she  has,  we  are 
satisfied  it  is  because  of  her  firm  and  uncompromising 
stand  for  "the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  That 
being"  true,  if  it  is  possible,  we  will  love  her  the  more  for 
the  enemies  she  has  made. 

Now,  may  the  Lord  guide,  keep  and  protect  her  in  the 
future,  as  he  has  done  in  the  past,  and  finally  receive  us  all 
to  himself  in  glory. 


PAPER 


BY  CLARENCE  B.  PETERS. 


Christian  Beneficence, 


When  God  broug^ht  order  out  of  chaos;  suspended  the 
worlds  in  space;  created  man  in  His  own  image;  bade  bim 
go  on  from  conquest  to  conquest  with  his  dominion  over 
all  things  on  the  earth,  over  the  earth  and  in  the  waters, 
He  ordained  that  whatever  should  be  his  status  relative 
to  the  denizens  of  the  waters,  the  beasts  of  the  fields,  and 
the  birds  of  the  air,  to  his  fellow-man,  his  noblest  ambition 
and  highest  aspiration,  should  be  the  trend  towards  the 
glorious  fruition  of  that  great  day  which  should  herald  the 
brotherhood  of  man  and  the  fatherhood  of  God.  But  to 
ends  there  must  be  means.  To  the  Church,  as  to  all  insti- 
tutions and  organizations  have  been  given  intricate  ques- 
tions for  their  intelligent  solution,  that  involved  mayhap 
their  weal  or  woe,  their  existence  or  destruction. 

In  this,  the  sacred  drama  of  this  grand  old  branch  of 
God's  terrestrial  zion,  there  has  been  given  to  her  the  ques- 
tion whether  profiting  by  unattained  desires,  and  blasted 
hopes  of  similar  organizations  the  world  over,  she  w^ould 
choose  the  right,  the  honorable  and  the  blessed  path,  or 
whether,  she  would,  failing  to  profit  by  precept  and  exam- 
ple, go  down,  down,  down.  Notwithstanding  her  name 
and  greatness,  one  blot,  one  stain,  would  have  soiled  her 
spotless  record.  Though  at  times  hard  and  difficult  has 
been  her  lot,  she  has  played  no  insignificant  part,  with 
God  as  her  Father  and  Christ  her  elder  brother,  in  con- 
quering the  world  for  Christ.  But  it  is  not  with  the  gen- 
eral status  of  the  church  we  have  in  the  part  assigned  us 
to  do,  but  it  is  the  Spirit  of  Christian  Beneficence  she  has 
i}isplaye4,  th^t  we  \yo^ld  briefly  treat.    St£^nding  in  an  in. 


34 


terminable  array;  waiting"  with  fear  and  trembling  words 
that  must  mean,  for  souls  immortal,  their  eternal  banish- 
ment or  perpetual  joy,  we  shall,  one  day  hear — Hungry, 
ye  fed  me,  naked,  ye  clothed  me,  sick  and  in  pri- 
son, ye  visited,  me.  Anxious  as  to  its  significence,  we  shall 
ask,  "Lord  when  saw  we  Thee  ahungered  and  fed  Thee» 
naked  and  clothed  Thee,  sick  and  in  prison  and  visited 
Thee?"  Then,  ah  then,  we  shall  receive  that  blessed  as- 
surance," as  ye  did  it  unto  the  least  of  my  little  ones,  ye  did 
unto  me."  Then  with  peans  of  praises,  as  a  final  testimony 
of  God's  benediction,  the  departed  saints  who,  in  this 
world  received  the  church's  charity  and  benefaction,  shall 
come  to  testify  to  the  truth  of  what  has  been  uttered. 

Standing  on  the  summit  of  the  Peak  of  Success,  our 
minds  necessarily  wander  back  and  recall  the  periods  of 
gloom  through  which  we  have  successfully  passed.  When 
death  claimed  its  victim,  our  departed  Dr.  Williams,  the 
fearing  ones  within  our  ranks,  and  the  false  friends  with- 
out, saw  for  us  only  division  and  ruin.  There  were  those 
who  predicted  that,  without  the  master  hand  of  the  deceas- 
ed, all  would  go  to  wreck.  But  God  willed  it  otherwise. 
Brother  Williams,  with  the  help  of  God,  had  builded  bet- 
ter than  he  knew.  That  friendship,  love  and  Christian 
beneficence,  which  had  for  nearly  a  hundred  years  been  a 
predominant  characteristic,  rivited  the  men,  women  and 
children,  into  one  band,  with  only  one  aspiration.  Aye, 
his  death  was  that  touch  of  nature  that  made  the  whole 
church  kin.  Then,  ah  then,  that  God,  as  he  had  done  for 
the  children  of  Israel  in  the  wilderness,  to  confound  those 
who  would  have  despitefully  used  us,  or  rend  us  asunder, 
placed  as  it  were,  a  pillar  of  clouds  about  us  in  the  day, 
and  a  chariot  of  fire  to  guide  us  at  night.  Then,  under 
the  leadership  of  our  Senior  Deacon,  Alexander  Forbes, 
upheld  by  as  conscientious  and  noble  set  of  officials,  God 
bless  them,  as  have  graced  any  Church,  after  proclaiming 
to  the  world  for  what  we  stood,  and  the  qualifications  to  be 
possessed  by  him  who  should  be  the  choice  of  a  united 
Church — then,  I  repeat,  did  God  manifest  his  help  and 
approbation,  by  sending  to  us  our  present  gentlemanly, 


scholarly,  and  dignified  leader  to  bear  our  colors,  and  take 
them  to  victory,  from  the  very  point  that  our  departed 
friend  had  laid  them  down. 

Search  if  you  will  the  records  of  the  church's  remotest 
antiquity;  we  find  that  in  its  iofaDcy,  with  no  hope  of  re- 
ward, no  expectation  of  public  acknowledgement,  with 
that  singleness  of  purpose  which  counts  all  but  loss  for 
Christ,  she  contributed,  not  grudgingly,  but  with  a  willing 
hand  and  cheerful  heart  to  missions  and  all  other  causes 
that  tended  toward  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
Scanning  more  closely  the  ioterestiog  pages  of  the  church's 
early  history,  we  find  it  to  have  been  a  custom  to  give 
whatever  it  could  through  some  man  selected  from  the 
white  race,  from  whom  it  exacted  no  public  acknowledge- 
ment, nor  received  public  thanks.  Nor  did  her  charity 
end  there.  No  worthy  church,  nor  organization,  ever  ap- 
pealed to  her  in  vain.  Only  the  Great  Searcher  of  hearts 
can  know  the  deeds  of  love  and  charity  extended  to  the 
deserving  poor  and  the  innumerable  appeals  heard  and 
answered.  But  in  this,  as  in  all  things  else,  she  was  ever 
methodical,  while  ever  willing  to  alleviate  suffering  and 
lessen  misery,  she  did  not  extend  aid  promiscuously.  The 
Pastor,  standing  as  an  ever  vigilant  watchman,  whenever, 
a  case  of  distress  was  brought  to  his  attention,  immediately 
submitted  the  same  to  his  officials,  and,  if  found  worthy, 
the  desired  aid  was  immediately  forthcoming.  Profiting 
by  experience  of  the  past;  drawing  inspiration  from  the 
success  that  has  come  as  an  apparent  reward  for  services 
rendered  to  the  needy,  she  is  today  marching  gloriously 
and  steadily  onward  to  the  goal  of  success,  mini.steriug  in 
her  onward  march  to  the  necessity  of  Saints.  To  the 
older  members,  some  of  whom  through  winter's  cold  and 
summer's  heat,  for  a  half  century  and  upwards  have  given 
the  best  of  all  that  life  holds  dear  to  them,  to  the  success 
and  glory  of  this  old  church,  I  have  no  hesitancy  in  say- 
ing, as  a  parting  assurance,  that  the  younger  element  of 
this  church,  upon  whom  one  day  must  devolve  its  weal  or 
woe,  its  existence  or  destruction,  with  the  help  of  God  will 
continue  in  the  path,  and  to  the  cadence,  so  worthy  set  by 


36 


their  ancestors,  or  report  to  God  the  reason  why.  And 
then,  when  the  church  militant  has  become  the  church 
triumphant;  when  the  sun  himself  grows  dim  with  age; 
when  the  soul  in  its  new  existence  shall  begin  to  flourish 
unhurt  amid  the  wars  of  elements  and  the  crush  of  worlds; 
when  the  saints  shall  come  from  the  north,  and  the  south, 
the  east  and  the  west  to  sit  down;  when  the  Son  in  His 
glory  shall  come  to  be  crowned;  when  angels  of  heaven 
will  sing  their  songs  of  adoration;  then,  ah  then,  shall  that 
beneficence,  like  charity,  which  is  the  greatest  of  all  things, 
seek  no  longer  to  realize  an  ideal,  but  at  last  shall,  idealiz- 
ing the  real,  have  its  just  reward. 


PAPER 


BY  MISS  SARAH  A.  DABNEY. 


The  Gilfielcl  Baptist  Church  on  Raising  Church  Funds. 


As  two  great  principles  ran  through  all  society,  the 
principles  of  self-care  and  self-love,  so  it  is  true  in  a  re- 
ligious sense,  that  these  two  principles  are  most  potent  in 
determining  the  moral  and  financial  success  of  the  church 
of  the  living  God.  To  each  church  is  given  the  success  of 
its  spiritual  life  and  its  material  growth.  By  foresight 
and  care  it  may  guard  against  dangers,  and  if  dangers  do 
come,  by  her  own  moral  integrity,  when  she  is  founded  on 
truth,  and  guarded  by  wisdom.she  will  ward  off  the  attack. 

So  we  find  that  upon  each  church  as  upon  each  individ- 
ual, rests  the  solemn  obligation  to  make  the  most  of  herself 
that  is  possible;  to  store  up  knowledge,  to  grow  in  wisdom, 
not  to  stand  still,  but  to  advance  towards  the  highest 
planes  of  thought  and  living.  Now,  to  my  mind,  nothing 
determines  the  material  success,  I  might  say  the  spiritual 
success  of  a  church  as  the  manner  and  means  of  its  finan- 
cial support,  whether  this  support  is  sufficient  for  her 
needs,  if  it  is  freely  and  cheerfully  given;  if  it  is  raised  in  a 
legimate  and  proper  manner;  not  pauperizing  and  debauch- 
ing the  self-respect  of  those  who  contribute  to  her  support, 
nor  detracting  from  her  usefulness  and  influence  from  the 
ever  watchful  eye  of  the  community. 

It  is  therefore  both  a  pleasure  and  privilege  to  trace  the 
financial  means  and  method  of  support  of  this  old  church 
of  ours,  whose  one  hundredth  anniversary  we  to-night 
celebrate. 

About  35  or  40  years  ago,  this  church  raised  her  funds 
like  most  of  the  churches  of  that  day,  in  fact  like  all 
churches  in  this  Southland;  by  fairs,  concerts,  festivals,  etc. 


38 


Now  there  may  have  been  some  excuse  for  the  use  of  these 
meaus.  There  were  extenuatiDg-  circumstances  then.  Our 
people  were  indeed  poor.  They  were  poor,  both  in  means 
and  intellect,  but  I  believe  they  were  rich  in  the  spirit  and 
grace  of  God. 

They  lived  up  to  the  light  they  had  and  served  their  God 
well  and  faithfully  in  their  day  and  generation.  They  had 
been  but  recently  cut  loose, soul  and  body  from  the  shackles 
that  bound  tliem,  and  in  their  child-like  simplicity,  they 
looked  not  to  the  means,  but  to  the  end  for  which  they 
strove.  But  as  time  passed  on,  and  each  year  the  church 
grew  more  in  spiritual  truth  in  the  knowledge  of  His 
Word;  in  intellectual  development  and  financial  strength, 
upon  consideration  of  the  church  and  her  sainted  pastor. 
Dr.  Henry  Williams,  they  unanimously  concluded  that 
these  modes  of  raising  church  funds  for  the  miantenance  of 
the  Master's  cause  were  more  a  hindrance  than  a  help. 
For,  according  to  His  Word,  He  loves  that  which  costs  us 
something. 

So  each  member  of  the  chureh,  for  a  number  of  years 
back,  pledged  himself,  and  now  pledges  individually,  a  cer- 
tain sum  for  the  support  of  the  church,  which  for  the  most 
part  is  promptly  paid.  No  fairs,  no  concerts,  no  excur- 
sions, nothing  but  a  free  contribution  for  the  service  of  the 
Lord. 

Now,  to  my  mind,  many  reasons  may  be  advanced  for  the 
stand  that  we  have  taken  in  this  matter.  For,  as  the  church 
is  responsible  for  its  own  growth  and  prosperity,  it  is 
equally  responsible  for  both  the  material  and  spiritual  hap- 
piness and  welfare  of  its  members  within,  and  also  the 
community  on  the  outside. 

To  depend  upon  the  help  and  assistance  of  the  com- 
munity shows  a  lack  of  self-reliance  in  the  church,  not 
using  your  own  God-given  means,  and  having  trust  and 
confidence  in  Him  who  helps  all  who  attempt  to  help  them- 
selves. And  He  has  promised  ever  to  be  with  His  church 
to  the  end  of  the  world. 

Secondly.  The  Bible  has  commanded  us  to  give  as  the 
Lord  has  prospered  us.   Not  to  place  our  wives  and  daugh- 


39 


ters  in  awkward  and  embarrassing  positions,  creating*  in 
them  a  lack  of  self-respect.  Because  we  are  not  faithful  to 
our  solemn  vow  and  obligation,  to  cherish,  care  for  and  sup- 
port Christ's  body  on  earth.  In  this  life  generally,  what 
a  man  does  for  anybody  or  thing  shows  his  appreciation 
and  value  of  that  person  or  object.  So  the  way  of  render- 
ing our  support  is  a  good  index  of  our  love  and  appreciation. 

Again,  such  questionable  means  of  supporting  the  church 
as  fairs,  concerts,  boxes,  cards,  etc.,  tend  to  lessen  religious 
fervor.  It  makes  the  world  and  the  worldly  think  that 
we  are  not  sincere  in  our  profession;  for  we  do  not  support 
what  we  profess  to  believe  and  to  know. 

Thus,  instead  of  spreading  Christ's  Kingdom  among 
men;  hfting  up  His  banner,  we  do  not  mean  it,  but  we  are 
bringing  it  in  disrepute.  This,  to  my  mind  is  a  serious 
thought,  and  one  which  needs  to  be  carefully  considered, 
for  we  are  enjoined  not  to  cause  our  brother  to  ofiend,  how 
much  more  serious  to  be  the  means  of  occasioning  him  to 
sin  who  is  not  a  brother. 

Some  one  has  said,  "Churches,  as  persons  who  are  to 
transform  the  world,  must  be  themselves  transformed," 
Life  must  be  full  of  inspiration.  If  education  is  valuable, 
the  age  must  double  it;  if  art  is  sweet  and  high,  we  must 
double  its  richness  and  might;  if  philanthropy  is  divine,  we 
must  double  its  quality  and  tenderness;  if  religion  is  valu- 
able, double  its  truth,  and  hasten  with  it  to  more  firesides; 
if  man's  life  is  great,  let  him  count  more  precious  all  its 
summers  and  winters. 

The  one  duty  of  life  is— to  lessen  every  vice  and  to  en- 
large every  virtue. 

So  in  this  old  ship  of  Zion,  which  has  successfully  sailed 
life's  tempestuous  sea,  through  thick  and  thin,  for  a  cen- 
tury, let  us  give  her  our  support,  our  prayers,  our  all; 
knowing  that  she  bids  and  commands  us  to  emulate  and 
look  up  to  Jesus  Christ. 


PAPER 


BY  MRS.  ALICE  R.  NOERIS, 


This  grand  occasioo,  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of 
the  Gillfield  Baptist  Church,  is  indeed  a  most  eventful  one. 

When  we  think  of  the  days  gone  by,  and  of  the  many 
occurrences  that  are  recorded,  and  to-day  stand  as  statutes 
of  the  dear  old  church,  our  hearts  can  hardly  contain  the 
multiplicity  of  sacred  thoughts  as  they  revolve,  giving  to 
us  many  happy  recollections  of  the  loved  ones  who  founded 
this  Lord's  house,  and  dedicated  it  unto  Christ,  in  behalf 
of  lost  souls  for  whom  He  died. 

Many  of  us  hold  dear  to  our  hearts  these  fond  recollec- 
tions, and,  with  the  poet  can  truly  say,  "How  dear  to  my 
heart  are  the  scenes  of  my  childhood,  when  fond  recollec- 
tion presents  them  to  view."  Some  of  us,  indeed  but  a 
very,  very  few,  are  living  to-day  who  can  recall  the  doings 
of  the  Gillfield  Baptist  Church,  when  she  worshipped  God 
under  the  instruction  of  His  servant,  Bev.  Creth,  in  a  little 
red  house. 

This  remmant  of  the  church's  membership  may  be  with 
us  to-day,  and  were  they  asked,  what  has  been  the  most 
preserving  element  in  the  statute  of  the  Gillfield  Baptist 
Church  that  has  helped  most  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  love  of 
Christ,  during  the  administrations  that  they  remember, 
they  would  doubtless  answer  with  united  voice,  that  Tem- 
perance has  ever  been  the  principle  that  characterized  the 
most  potent  part  of  the  church's  constituency  and  mem- 
bership. 

Upon  the  bosom  of  the  ocean  of  time,  with  Christ  the 
Captain,  temperate  leaders  the  crew,  faithful  worshippers 
the  passengers,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  the  pilot,  this  dear  old 
church  has  for  one  hundred  years  sailed. 


41 


Like  a  ship  of  war,  over  billows  rough  and  many,  she 
has  been  tossed  and  tested,  but  has  never  been  destroyed. 
Why  ?  Because  with  united  strength  of  Christian  love, 
exercised  in  most  temperate  dealings,  she  manned  her 
way.  And  to-day,  when  we  look  and  view  in  the  distance 
of  by-gone  days  the  dangers  through  which  she  came,  we 
are  filled  with  sacred  awe  and  love  to  God  for  always  hav- 
ing heard  and  answered  in  her  behalf,  the  faithful  cries  of 
His  people  for  temperate  leaders. 

The  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  has  the  fame  amongst 
churches  of  to-day  of  having  had  always  for  her  pastor  and 
deacons,  representative  Christian  men,  Men  who  loved  and 
feared  God,  and  who  adhered  to  the  teachings  of  Christ 
through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  were  therefore 
"Sober  and  vigilant,"  "Temperate  in  all  things." 

Temperate  leaders  effect  those  who  follow,  and  as  a  re- 
sult, we  have  a  Temperance  Band  of  organized  believers 
in  this  centennial  gathering  to-day  of  the  Gillfield  Baptist 
Church. 

In  this  audience  are  many  who  remember  well,  how,  after  a 
period  of  storm  and  seeming  destruction,  this  faithful  tem- 
perance band  united  in  prayer  to  God  for  a  captain  and  a 
leader.  And  we  remember,  that  in  answer  to  these  prayers 
came  the  late  Bev.  Henry  Williams,  Jr.,  a  temperance  man 
indeed,  and  in  all  things  sacredly  temperate. 

We  remember  how  often  he  besought  the  church  to  be 
sober,  to  be  vigilant,  and  to  abide  in  the  ship  of  God's 
commands  as  given  in  His  Holy  Word.  And  we  remem- 
ber, how,  through  severe  storms  of  ridiculous  criticisms, 
he  guided  this  church  of  God  safely,  and  every  time  an- 
chored her  into  a  haven  of  peace,  sweet  peace;  although 
his  right  hand  supporters  at  unguarded  moments  would 
weaken;  almost  leave  their  posts  of  duty  when  raging 
storms  of  intemperate  workers  tossed  the  old  ship  hither 
and  thither,  and  the  bosom  of  evil  sentiment  seemed  to 
swallow  her  crew,  he,  the  brave  captain,  the  man  of  God, 
the  answer  to  prayer,  temperate  leader,  clung  to  his  post 
and  unswervingly  labored  till,  after  the  storms  of  many 
seasons,  God,  who  gave  him  to  us,  bade  him  look  back 


42 


and  view  a  well  spent  life  of  many  eventful  years  and  suc- 
cessful vogag-es  amid  dangerous  storms,  and,  like  one  that 
wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch  about  him,  after  the  toils 
of  life  he  lies  at  rest  in  the  haven  of  eternal  peace. 

He,  like  all  good  and  temperate  men,  left  "footprints  on 
the  sands  of  time"  that  cannot  be  observed  through  memo- 
ry by  those  who  knew  him,  without  ad  vocating  in  the  pro- 
gress of  Gillfield  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  was  for  35 
years  pastor,  the  strictest  adherance  to  the  temperance 
cause,  as  being  the  most  substantial  of  all  pure  character- 
ized elements  to  purify  and  help  to  keep  pure  the  church 
of  Christ.  Being  a  temperate  man,  he  was  ever  able  to 
hold  right  as  his  guiding  star,  and  kept  victoriously  on- 
ward, advising  the  church  as  Paul  did  Titus,  to  "Speak 
the  things  which  become  sound  doctrine:  That  the  aged 
men  be  sober,  grave,  temperate,  sound  in  faith,  in  charity, 
in  patience. 

The  church  failed  not  to  accept  his  ad  vice, and  having  been 
actuated  by  the  force  of  his  Christian  life  when  his  place 
in  this  busy  world  and  in  this  dear  old  church  was  vacant, 
those  sarviviog  him,  possessed  of  his  disposition  to  call 
upon  God  in  time  of  trouble  and  of  need,  prayed  for  a 
worthy  man  to  become  his  successor.  In  answer  to  prayer, 
we  have  occupying  his  place  a  man  of  God,  very  active  in 
the  cause  of  Christ  and  glorifying  in  temperance  work,  the 
Bev.  G.  B.  Howard,  whose  every  movement  manifests 
honor  to  his  predecessor  and  praise  to  God  for  the  privi- 
lege of  the  sacred  position.  For  nearly  three  years  Rev. 
Howard  has  been  the  beloved  pastor  of  the  Gillfield  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  in  this  time  he  has  left  no  stone  unturned 
toward  promoting  the  progress  of  the  people  in  every 
respect. 

The  real  meaning  of  temperance  is  being  developed 
more  and  more  practically  under  the  teaching  of  Bev. 
Howard,  and  in  the  near  future  we  may  realize  that  Tem- 
perance Societies  are  not  a  farce,  but  are  real  means  of 
rescuing  both  bodies  and  souls  of  men. 

Through  ignogrance  the  word  temperance  is  often  mis- 
understood, hence  misapplied. 


43 


For  many  confine  the  work  of  a  temperance  band  to  total 
obstinence  from  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors,  but  in  the 
sense  of  the  Scriptures,  it  means  a  great  deal  more.  This 
fact  is  well  proven  by  the  successful  work  of  the  Gillfield 
Baptist  Church. 

Many  a  time  her  total  abstainers,  called  sober  men,  have 
done  more  toward  stranding  the  church  by  intemperate 
dispositions,  than  a  drunkard  could,  being  outside  of  its 
fold.  It  ever  has  been  a  safeguard  to  the  flock  of  this  dear 
old  church  to  exercise  true  temperance,  and  thus  control 
each  storm. 

We  do  not  under  any  consideration  advocate,  nor  mean 
to  encourage  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  beverage; 
not  at  all;  but  we  would  convey  to  the  minds  of  our  hearers, 
that  there  are  many  intemperate  usages  that  lead  to  dis- 
asters equally  as  damnable  as  that  of  drinking  intoxicants. 

For  instance,  in  the  church,  what  is  a  greater  hindrance 
to  the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  progress  of  the  church,  than 
a  self-conceited  and  obstinate  member  ?  One  whose  in- 
temperate will  cannot  be  controlled  because  he  is  drunken 
in  his  own  conceit. 

Is  it  possible  to  thrive  under  the  administration  of  such 
a  one,  or  can  peace  be  obtained  where  such  a  one  rules, 
any  more  readily  than  it  might  were  an  inebriate  adminis- 
trating ?  Certainly  not.  How  many  a  church  has  been 
divided  because  of  the  activity  of  this  kind  of  leadership, 
and  how  many  souls  lost  because  of  such  disasters  that 
have  been  discovered  by  the  true  temperance  work  of  this 
church,  and  shunned,  is  indeed  very  wonderful,  and  to-day 
speaks  in  thunder-like  tones  in  behalf  of  the  true  temper- 
ance cause  that  is  still  gaining  prestige  in  the  Gillfield 
Baptist  Church,  under  the  administration  of  its  honorable 
and  efficient  pastor.  Rev.  G.  B.  Howard,  D.  D.,  and  his 
faithful  and  trusty  armor-bearers,  all  temperate  men  of 
Bible  teaching. 

It  is  hoped  that  on  this  centennial  occasion,  everyone 
present  will  unite  with  the  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  in  the 
principle  of  temperance  work.  Let  all  who  indulge  in  the 
use  of  intoxicants  abstain  from  doing  so. 


44 


Let  the  obstinate  brothers  and  gossipping*  sisters  who 
"do  not  drink  intoxicating  liquors,"  but  indulge  in  habits  of 
linger  long  at  fuss  making  and  peace  breaking,  refrain 
from  so  doing,  and  thus  help  to  advance  the  cause  of  Christ 
and  His  church  on  earth,  that  together  all  may  reunite 
with  the  temperate  pastors  and  leaders  of  this  dear  old 
church  of  God,  in  the  sweet  bye  and  bye,  where  parting 
will  be  no  more  and  the  hallelujah  benediction  be  ours 
eternally. 


PAPER. 


BY  JAMES  M.  WILKERSON. 


To-Dight  this  grand  old  church  celebrates  the  one  hun- 
dredth anniversary  of  her  organization.  Others  have  beauti- 
fully described  her  contributions  and  views  along  many 
other  lines,  spiritual,  educational  and  financial,  but  it 
is  now  my  purpose  to  tell  you  of  her  status  on  missions. 

This  church  has  from  her  earliest  conception  been  a 
liberal  donor  to  missions.  There  now  exists  within  this 
body  five  missionary  societies,  which  contribute  regularly 
to  home.  State  and  foreign  missions. 

This  church  was  very  early  impressed  with  the  impor- 
tance and  necessity  of  mission  work,  and  was  among  the 
first  colored  churches  in  this  section  of  the  country  to  give 
funds  for  that  purpose,  and  for  quite  a  number  of  years, 
when  there  was  no  colored  association  or  board  through 
which  to  transmit  funds  for  this  purpose,  they  were  sent 
through  a  white  board. 

We  are  unable  to  give  to  you  an  approximate  amount  of 
her  contributions  during  these  many  years,  but  sufiice  it  to 
say,  that  the  Home,  State  and  Foreign  Mission  Boards 
will  attest  many  thousands  of  dollars,  and  they  regard  her 
as  being  one  of  its  most  reliable  tributaries. 

In  addition  to  her  regular  contributions  to  the  different 
boards  with  which  she  is  connected,  whenever  a  special 
appeal  has  been  made  to  the  various  churches  of  this 
country  for  funds  with  which  to  foster  the  missionary  cause, 
this  church  most  cheerfully  and  liberally  responded. 

The  importance  of  this  work,  we  fear,  in  a  great  many 
churches,  is  underestimated  and  oftimes  overshadowed. 

This  may  not  be  altogether  intentional  on  the  part  of 
churches  thus  guilty,  but  whether  the  standard  set  be  good 
or  bad,  its  influence  extends  to  others.  Thus  we  see  the 
uecessity  of  aoosi(^ering  well  our  positiou  along  any  line, 


46 


The  true  and  lofty  mission  of  the  church  is  the  spread- 
ing- of  the  gospel  of  Christ  and  the  saving-  of  souls,  but 
this  work  is  often  hindered  or  overshadowed  by  many 
churches  in  their  attempts  to  build  costly  houses  of  wor- 
ship and  to  furnish  them  in  a  similar  manner,  ornament- 
ing them  with  costly  and  useless  spires  and  towers  point- 
ing heavenward,  the  cost  of  which  would  support  many 
missionaries  in  various  fields  of  labor. 

Now,  don't  understand  that  I  do  not  think  we  should 
have  a  decent  and  comfortable  place  of  worship;  God  for- 
bid that  I  should;  but  are  we  not  sometimes  unnecessarily 
extravagant  in  the  manner  of  building-  according  to  our 
circumstances,  when  we  load  ourselves  with  a  heavy  bur- 
den that  constantly  stares  us  in  the  face  and  serves  as  an 
incubus  to  keep  us  from  doing-  the  true  work  given  us  by 
our  Father  which  is  in  Heaven,  and  which  has  been  so 
simply  and  beautifully  exempliedby  his  Son  Jesus  Christ? 

Do  we  not  notice  that  sometimes  within  the  sig-ht  and 
very  shadows  of  these  great,  unnecessary  and  costly  struc- 
tures, with  their  domes  and  spires  pointing  heavenward, 
many  a  poor  mortal  lives  who  knows  next  to  nothing  of 
Christ  the  Saviour;  many  who  do  not  get  their  daily  bread 
and  know  not  how  to  pray  for  it.  Many  a  poor  widow 
with  pale  and  blanched  cheeks,  works  far  into  the  night 
to  keep  the  wolf  from  the  door;  many  a  little  wanderer, 
who  roams  on  cold,  drizzling,  dreary  days  in  search  of  food, 
(for  they  are  oftimes  waifs  of  the  drunkard's  sad  home)  and 
lastly,  many  an  orphan,  homeless  and  penniless,  who  once 
had  saintly  parents,  but  on  account  of  lack  of  care  and 
Christian  influences,  are  now  drifting  into  haunts  of  sin 
and  vice  which  will  shape  their  character  and  lives  and, 
alas,  wind  up  with  a  criminal's  destiny. 

While  some  of  our  churches  have  done  a  great  deal  to 
alleviate  this  condition  of  affairs  among  our  people,  others 
seem  to  have  been  blind  to  it  and  others  have  been  hin- 
dered for  reasons  stated  before,  but  we  must  be  alive  to 
the  fact  that  it  is  not  only  our  duty  to  build  churches  for 
our  individual  comfort,  but  to  give  most  largely  of  our 
means  to  spread  the  gospel  and  to  save  our  fellow  man 
who  is  daily  groping  in  sin  and  ignorance. 


47 


As  a  race,  do  we  realize  that  the  sin,  popular,  and  most 
flaunted  in  our  faces  by  our  white  brother  in  newspapers, 
that  is  the  awful  crime  of  rape,  can  be  obliterated  by  a 
Christian  education,  given  to  those  guilty  of  such  and  those 
with  any  tendency  towards  such.  We  are  pleased  to  note 
that  the  most  conservative  leaders  of  our  race  and  the 
white  race,  and  the  clergy,  white  and  black,  of  this  country, 
are  all  of  the  opinion  that  a  Christian  as  well  as  an  educa- 
tional training  among  our  people  will  do  much  towards 
changing  this  condition  of  aff'airs.  Thus,  we  see,  that  if 
a  Christian  training  will  root  out  many  of  the  black  things 
with  which  we  are  tainted,  and  will  raise  us  to  a  higher 
plane  of  civilization,  we  will  also  see  that  it  is  our  duty  to 
give  more  largely  to  the  missionary  cause,  that  we  may 
spread  the  gospel  to  our  more  unfortunate  brothers,  who 
grope  in  darkness  and  are  possessed  of  these  brutish  ten- 
dencies, that  they  may  have  their  better  natures  awakened, 
which  can  only  be  done  by  a  thorough  Christian  and  educa- 
tional training. 

It  is  difficult  to  discover  the  basis  of  morality  in  a  stock 
farm.  We  need  to  convince  men  that  the  story  of  the 
gospel  is  true;  that  death  does  not  close  the  book  to  us  and 
ours,  and  then  you  convince  them  that  life  has  its  greatest 
values  in  the  newer  stage  of  development  into  which  they 
are  going. 

Then  they  have  something  definite  to  think  abont;  some 
hope  worth  acting  upon  and  some  motive  that  will  lead  to 
sacrifice.  Then  we  will  see  that  our  gifts  were  not  in  vain 
and  that  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  means  to  be 
employed  to  lift  man  to  ideal  manhood,  that  he  may  glorify 
his  Maker  which  is  in  Heaven. 


PAPER 


BY  WM.  H.  JOHNSON. 


The  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  on  Economics  and  Home  Purity. 


The  history  of  the  races  of  the  earth  will  show  that  when- 
ever and  wherever  any  race  has  been  prominent  in  the 
world's  uplift  and  progress,  and  wherever  any  race  has  at- 
tained to  prominence  upon  the  platform  of  the  arena  of 
success;  that  wherever  any  race  has  demonstrated  its  fitness 
to  be  styled  great,  it  has  been  from  the  effects  of  certain 
underlying  principles  which  has  been  predominant. 

The  study  of  nations  will  prove  that  the  cause  of  any 
nation's  greatness;  the  cause  of  any  nation's  instrumentality 
in  the  elevation  of  creation,  has  been  the  exhibition  of  cer- 
tain qualities,  the  inevitable  result  of  the  practice  of  such 
qualities  being  progress  and  general  success. 

What  has  been  true  of  races  and  nations  is  true  of  coun- 
tries, states,  cities,  communities,  churches  and  families. 
Churches,  communities,  etc.,  are  simply  aggregations  of 
families.  As  are  the  individual  families  so  are  the  bodies 
which  are  composed  of  them. 

The  two  most  vital  factors  in  the  list  of  virtues  which 
should  be  taught  and  practiced  in  order  to  establish  a  home 
are  Economics  and  Home  Parity.  If  these  two  virtues  are 
known  in  the  individual  home,  they  will  be  manifest  in  the 
aggregation.  With  this  knowledge  it  seems  to  us  to  be  the 
paramount  duty  of  the  churches  of  God,  the  evangelizing 
power  of  the  world,  if  they  would  desire  stability  of  gov- 
ernment to  seek  to  indoctrinate  each  family  within  the  bor- 
ders of  each  churches  influence  into  the  true  conceptiou  of 
the  proper  mode  oi  living. 


49 


ECONOMICS. 

Economics  is  the  science  of  household  affairs  or  of  do- 
mestic and  internal  arrangement;  the  science  of  the  utilities 
or  useful  application  of  wealth  or  material  resources.  In 
seeking  to  implant  her  impress  firmly  upon  the  populace  of 
this  city  and  state;  in  having  a  desire  to  occupy  with  credit 
the  place  allotted  to  her  in  the  galaxy  of  churches  and  in 
striving  to  be  rendered  worthy  of  the  plaudit  of  the  Master 
and  of  the  everlasting  gratitude  of  man,  the  Gillfield  Bap- 
tist Church  has,  from  her  beginning,  been  known  for  her 
regard  for  the  practice  of  this  element.  She  has  always 
held  and  taught  that  man  should  make  due  and  diligent 
preparation  for  his  health  by  the  proper  observation  of  the 
laws  governing  food  supply,  giving  to  the  digestive  organs 
such  food  as  will  give  him  a  sound  body  in  which  to  encase 
a  sound  mind.  It  is  regarded  as  criminal  to  neglect  the 
laws  of  health  and  economy  by  filling  the  body  with  un- 
sound food  because  it  is  of  small  price,  or  with  light,  trashy 
food  because  it  appeals  temptingly  to  the  palate.  The  po- 
sition of  this  church  in  this  matter  has  had  its  influence 
for  good  upon  those  of  the  community  that  come  in  contact 
with  her. 

DRESS. 

In  the  matter  of  dress,  she  advocates  taste  in  preparation, 
economy  in  purchase,  decency  in  attire  and  good  quality  of 
material.  There  is  no  one  thing  in  the  line  of  economics 
which  has  had  more  attention,  and  which  has  been  more 
decidedly  impresed  upon  the  community  by  this  church, 
through  the  efforts  of  the  late  lamented  Dr.  Henry  Williams 
than  the  matter  of  correct,  economical  attire.  A  glance  at 
the  congregation  of  this  church  will  bear  testimony  to  this 
truth. 

EDUCATION. 

The  number  of  persons,  attendants  upon  the  worship  of 
this  church,  who  read  and  write;  the  large  number  of  her 
members  who  have  graduated  from  high  schools,  normal 
schools  and  institutes;  the  great  host  who  have  held  and 


50 

do  now  hold  positions  as  instructors  in  the  public  schools  of 
this  city  and  of  the  surrounding  counties;  (and  be  it  said 
to  her  credit,  that  of  the  43  regular  teachers  which  have 
been  employed  in  the  public  schools  of  this  city,  to  our 
knowledge  31  were  members  of  this  church,  and  of  the  total 
number  of  graduates,  the  overwhelming  majority  were  and 
are  a  part  and  parcel  of  this  body,)  the  proportion  of  her 
members  who  have  held  positions  of  trust,  honor  and  emolu- 
ment in  the  legislative  halls  of  the  state,  in  military  life, 
in  civil  government  positions,  postal  service,  revenue  de- 
partment, etc.,  evinces  the  fact  that  this  old  church  fosters 
education,  and  that  her  influence  is  felt  and  honored.  Be 
it  remembered,  however,  that  this  does  not  take  into  account 
the  amount  of  money  raised  and  donated  for  educational 
purposes,  which  is  very  great. 

TEADES. 

In  the  line  of  education  comes  the  trades,  etc.  They  are 
the  manual  part  of  man's  education  with  the  intellectual 
combined.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  trades  are  very 
generally  represented  among  the  patrons  of  this  church. 
Trades  play  a  very  conspicuous  part  in  the  solidity  of  a  com- 
munity. This  zion  has  accredited  to  her  through  her  in- 
fluence the  most  successful  contractors  in  brick  masonry, 
plastering  and  wall  decorating;  with  many  others  of  less 
prominence,  but  successful  withal.  Carpenters  and  mas- 
ter builders,  professional  painters,  artistic  shoemakers, 
coopers,  etc.,  are  prominent  in  the  make  up  of  Gillfield  Bap- 
tist Church  and  congregation  generally,  a  lasting  tribute  to 
her  zeal  for  the  elevation  of  man. 

PROPERTY. 

As  to  accumulation  of  property,  of  wealth,  she  stands 
out  uniquely  as  a  very  potent  factor  in  commending  our  race 
to  the  favorable  consideration  of  all  people;  in  the  building 
up  and  sustaining  of  the  city,  and  in  sharing  her  burdens. 
She  encourages  the  idea  of  getting  something  of  one's  own 
and  keeping  it.  It  is  a  characteristic  of  her's  to  make  her- 
self felt,  through  her  patrons,  as  an  indispensable  adjunct 


51 


to  her  community's  welfare.  As  illustrating  the  efforts  of 
herself  to  have  our  people  pay  heed  to  the  property  side  of 
life,  it  may  be  noted  with  pleasure  that,  basing  our  calcu- 
lation upon  the  conservative  estimate  of  a  membership  of 
2200,  and  allowing  an  average  of  five  to  a  family,  there 
would  be  440  families  as  members  of  the  church,  and  of  this 
number  275  families  own  homes  and  in  a  great  number  of 
cases  the}^  have  considerable  real  estate  which  is  rented  or 
attended  as  farms.  Of  course  it  is  in  reason  to  say  that 
numerous  families  outside  of  the  pale  of  the  church  have 
homes  as  a  result  of  the  iniiuence  brought  to  bear  upon 
them  by  this  church.  It  may  be  also  noted  that  the  lead- 
ing man  of  color  in  the  department  of  the  city's  business 
make-up  is  an  undertaker,  one  of  Gillfield's  sons;  that  the 
three  most  successful  merchants,  with  many  others  of  prom, 
ising  worth,  belong  to  her;  that  the  majority  of  the  rolling 
stock  with  teams  that  is  owned  by  our  people  in  this  city  is 
the  property  of  members  of  this  church.  Of  her,  in  her 
congregation  and  outside,  on  account  of  her  influence,  are 
men  in  all  lines  of  business,  of  material  prosperity,  and 
this  applies  as  well  to  women  in  their  sphere  of  activity 
and  business  life,  Need  we  say  more  to  convince  you  that 
this  church  of  one  hundred  years  has  encouraged  and  en- 
deavored to  keep  alive  that  which  tends  to  make  a  com- 
munity, a  state  stable  ?  that  she  has  taken  a  position  for 
the  useful  application  of  wealth  and  material  resources 
which  is  to  be  commended  and  in  which  she  is  to  be  con- 
gratulated . 

FRIENDLY  INTERCOURSE . 

The  declared  purpose  of  this  body  has  been  and  is  to 
seek  to  have  our  people  cultivate  friendly  relations  rather 
than  antagonistic  with  other  races.  Her  idea  is  to  ''show 
thyself  a  man."  Our  people  are  counselled  to  exhibit  the 
characteristices  of  true  men  and  women,  respectfully  de- 
manding the  rights  of  such.  They  are  urged  to  give  hon- 
est labor  for  its  equivalent  in  money,  and  to  demand  pay- 
ment commensurate  with  class  of  work  done.  They  are 
taught  to  heal  rather  than  widen  breaches  of  kindly  rela- 


52 


tionship.  In  fact  this  church  insists  in  our  endeavoring  to 
make  ourselves  known  by  the  exhibition  of  those  qualities 
which  build  up,  solidify  and  unify  a  people,  a  state  or  what 
not. 

HOME  PURITY. 

The  betterment  of  the  nation  must  be  by  the  betterment 
of  the  home.  Home  purity  is  the  foundation  stone,  the 
basic  principle  of  all  national  greatness  and  glory.  We 
mean  by  home  purity,  that  characteristic  or  those  charac- 
teristics practiced  and  enforced  around  the  fireside,  which 
make  home,  the  family,  pure  and  noble  and  which  exerts  a 
restraining  influence  upon  those  with  whom  the  individual 
family  comes  in  contact.  It  has  been  and  is  ever  a  delight- 
ful duty  and  privilege  of  this  church  of  a  century's  growth 
to  inculcate  and  encourage  this  vital  principle  within  her- 
self and  within  the  community.  She  is  of  opinion  that  to 
build  firmly,  the  foundation  must  be  strong.  To  this  end 
she  insists  that  the  head  should  be  sound;  that  the  vow 
taken  at  the  sacred  altar  by  the  masculine  party  to  the 
contract  should  be  kept  inviolable.  Without  this  a  disor- 
dered household  effects  the  community  and  there  is  aputried 
speck  in  the  bulk  of  households  which,  unless  eliminated, 
will  cause  confusion. 

The  Christian  religion,  morality,  honesty,  sobriety  and 
frugality  are  to  her  the  foundation  of  one's  edifice  if  his 
structure  is  to  stand.  None  the  less  does  she  advocate  in 
the  female  all  those  Christian  graces  which  go  to  make  up 
a  well  rounded  woman  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  God. 

Without  them  her  life  will  not  be  of  such  character  as 
to  make  the  home  fit  for  the  indwelling  of  the  Master, 
whose  presence,  though  unseen,  is  necessary  at  all  times  to 
peace,  joy  and  comfort.  Children  should  be  trained  in 
the  way  that  they  should  go,  so  that  when  they  get  old, 
they  may  with  entire  confidence  look  to  God  for  that  sup- 
port promised  to  those  who  serve  Him. 

The  Gillfield  Baptist  Church  realizes  that  the  Creator 
holds  her  responsible  for  her  opportunities.  She  believes 
that  as  God  spoke  to  the  seven  individual  churches  of  Asia 


53 


through  their  pastors  in  days  past,  and  held  each  indivi- 
dual church  responsible  to  Him  alone  for  her  actions,  that 
to-day  he  reckons  with  each  church  in  her  individuality. 
As  to  those  churches  which  had  not  exercised  diligence  in 
giving  to  men  the  proper  conception  of  his  gospel,  came 
condemnation  and  trouble,  and  as  to  those  which  had  en- 
deavored to  the  best  of  their  ability  to  keep  their  lamps 
trimmed  and  burning,  commendation  of  the  Master  and 
success  was  their's,  so  will  it  be  now  and  hereafter.  May 
it  not  be  rightly  supposed  then,  that  in  view  of  the  fact 
that  from  her  organization,  one-hundred  years  ago,  this 
wonderful  church  has  been  free  from  broils,  factions,  and 
dismemberment,  that  God  has  been  at  the  helm;  that  he 
has  led  her  on  from  victory  to  victory  as  a  reward  for  her 
diligence  in  promulgating  and  instilling  the  idea  of  purity 
of  life,  consecration  of  heart  to  his  service,  and  in  pro- 
pagating energetic  business  principles  in  men  to  the  uplift 
of  man,  his  noblest  handiwork  ! 

It  was  remarked  on  one  occasion,  "the  reason  that  Gill- 
field  Church  gets  along  so  well  with  her  pastors  and  has 
no  internal  dissension  is  that  she  is  deceitful.  To  say  this 
is  to  impeach  God's  honor;  is  to  charge  Him  guilty  of  false- 
hood.   God  is  not  the  author  or  the  promoter  of  deceit. 

Where  deceit  reigns  He  is  absent.  Where  iniquity 
abounds.  He  has  no  dwelling  place.  Where  the  home  life 
is  pure,  where  good  morals  abound,  where  manners  are  cor- 
rect; where  truth  in  its  beauty,  honor  in  its  glory;  virtue 
in  its  radiance;  sobriety  in  its  winsomeness;  temperance  in 
its  manliness  and  Christianity  in  its  purity  are  found,  there 
Jehovah  himself  is,  and  to  bless.  For  this  reason  this 
church  strives  and  has  always  striven  to  throw  broadcast 
those  underlying  foundation  stones,  that  men  may  gather 
them,  and  build  upon  them  structures  which  shall  endure 
and  resist  the  storms  and  tempests  on  life's  sea. 

In  her  efforts  to  disseminate  doctrines  of  puriety;  in  her 
struggles  to  maintain  the  highest  standard  of  morality  and 
Christianity;  in  her  determination  to  teach  and  to  be  gov- 
erned by  the  word  of  God,  to  keep  his  statutes  inviolate, 


54 


she  has  been  censured,  maligned,  criticised  with  acriticisra 
born  of  jealousy  and  envy,  but  through  it  all  she  has  kept 
on  in  the  even  tenor  of  her  way,  trusting  to  Jehovah  for 
vindication  of  her  position,  and  the  success  with  which 
she  has  been  favored  attests  the  fact  that  the  Lord  has  been 
with  her,  and  that  he  recognizes,  encourages  andjamply  re- 
wards a  courageous  heart,  an  invincible  spirit  for  truth  and 
right,  and  a  determination  to  handle  his  truths  unflinch 
ingly  regardless  of  what  man  may  say  or  the  devil  may  do. 
^'If  God  be  for  us  who  can  be  against  us."  Purity  is  an 
attribute  of  God  himself,  and  when  we  teach  men  and  women 
to  be  pure,  to  be  noble,  to  be  holy,  we  lift  up  Christ  before 
them,  and  Christ  says,  "If  I  be  lifted  up,  I  will  draw  all 
men  unto  me."  We  believe  that  to  so  teach  is  in  keeping 
with  the  command,  to  "teach  all  nations  whatsoever  I  have 
commanded  you."  If  this  done,  says  He,  "Lo,  lam  with 
you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  What  an 
assurance  !  What  a  consolation  !  Let  us  not  trust  in  chari- 
ots or  in  horses;  let  us  not  confide  in  or  depend  upon  man's 
arm  or  knowledge,  but  let  our  faith  in  the  Lord  lead  us, 
this  noble  old  centennarian  church  of  God  to  begin  this 
second  century  with  a  renewed  determination,  in  the 
strength  of  the  Almighty,  to  wage  an  aggressive,  offensive 
warfare  against  wantonness,  carelessness,  indifference, 
laziness,  wastefulness  and  impurity,  and  do  battle  for  an 
elevating,  constructive  and  unimpeachable  life  among  men 
and  women  everywhere.  While  the  world  is  seemingly  in 
creasing  her  pace  in  sin,  let  us,  let  this  church,  this,  the 
Gillfield  Baptist  Church  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  of  a  century's 
usefulness,  "Take  time  to  be  holy,"  knowing  that  in  due 
time  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not. 


The  closing  exercises  of  the  centennial  took  place  on 
Sabbath  evening  October  11th  7:30.  The  exercises  were 
characterised  by  good  order  and  decency  through  the  en- 
tire week,  and  success  crowned  the  efforts  of  the  grand 
old  church.  Deacon  Alexander  Forbes  moved,  and  the 
motion  was  carried,  that  Brothers  Thomas  M.  Griffin  and 
Frank  Wilkerson  be  the  delegates  to  represent  the  church 
at  her  next  centennial  and  that  their  sons  Frank  Wilker- 
son, Jr.,  and  Henry  Williams  Griffin  be  the  alternates. 


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